Highway Patrol Workers Rescue Two After Utility Truck Plunges Into Creek Along I-295 in West Deptford

Gloucester County emergency personnel and State Police applauded two New Jersey highway safety workers for the rapid rescue of a driver and passenger from a commercial utility truck that flipped into a creek Wednesday morning on Interstate 295 in West Deptford.

Near milepost 23.3 on northbound I-295, a crash occurred about 7:15 a.m. Authorities reported a commercial utility vehicle hit an SUV during the morning commute. After the crash, the truck drifted right, hit a fence and snowbank, and overturned into the Hessian Run Tributary. The crash occurred near West Deptford High School.

Two NJDOT Safety Service Patrol operators nearby witnessed the accident and raced to help. John Reilly and Dalton Applegate arrived in different patrol vehicles and began rescue efforts.

Emergency personnel reported the passenger was removed from the crashed truck first. While the truck was partially immersed in the waterway, the driver was still belted in. One patrol officer cut the driver’s seat belt with a knife, allowing both occupants to escape before conditions worsened.

West Deptford police and firefighters arrived shortly. Driver and passenger were hospitalized nearby. Officials said their injuries were non-life-threatening.

Crash caused environmental and rescue issues. After the crash, State Police estimated 150 gallons of diesel flowed into the tributary. The U.S. Coast Guard and New Jersey DEP are containing and managing the fuel spill to minimize environmental damage. Officials have not disclosed long-term impacts but acknowledged containment operations shortly after the occurrence.

The crash disrupted morning rush-hour traffic. Several northbound lanes of Interstate 295 were stopped for hours while rescuers removed the debris and treated the fuel spill. Traffic flow resumed about 1 p.m. when all lanes reopened.

Police have not announced citations or whether the crash is under investigation. Officials are investigating the utility truck-SUV crash.

The incident emphasizes the need of highway safety patrol officers, who typically arrive first in traffic emergencies. They possibly saved more serious injuries in a risky circumstance by acting quickly.

As details become available, state and county officials may issue more updates on this inquiry.