Drivers escape serious injuries in fiery Route 80 crash with truck

ROXBURY TWP. -- The drivers of two SUVs that collided with a jack-knifed tractor trailer Sunday afternoon on Route 80 westbound were spared serious injuries, even after one SUV burst into flames after the impact, New Jersey State Police said Monday.

State troopers from the Netcong barracks responded to the crash on the interstate in Roxbury at 4:25 p.m. Sunday.  State Police spokesman Capt. Stephen Jones said the driver of a 2004 Freightliner tractor trailer apparently lost control in a westbound lane and jack-knifed, obstructing three lanes of travel.

A 2008 Toyota SUV struck the tanker truck in the center lane and became fully engulfed in flames.  Exactly how the driver and passenger of the Toyota got out of the vehicle was not immediately available, Jones said, but they were transported to Morristown Medical Center for injuries he said are believed to be minor.

A second vehicle, a 2009 Honda SUV, struck the tanker truck in the right lane.  The driver of the Honda SUV also sustained minor injuries and was brought to Morristown Medical Center, Jones said.

Route 80 in the area of the crashes was shut down for about 90 minutes, Jones said.

Both Jones and a trooper at the Netcong barracks said the accident is still under investigation and reports are being completed by responding troopers. Authorities did not immediately know the contents of the tractor trailer or whether the trailer was empty.

"Fortunately something that could have been disastrous ended with minor injuries," Jones said.

   Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.