North Brunswick Man Dies After Fiery I-287 Tanker Crash in Metuchen
A second person has died following a devastating crash involving an SUV and a fuel tanker on Interstate 287 in Metuchen, according to New Jersey State Police. The deadly incident happened early Sunday morning and led to major highway closures for several hours as emergency crews worked at the scene.
Authorities said 25-year-old Steven Merisier of North Brunswick was a passenger inside the SUV involved in the collision. He died Monday from injuries suffered in the crash. State Police confirmed that the SUV slammed into the rear of a tanker being pulled by a tractor near milepost 1.9 at approximately 5:53 a.m. Sunday.
Investigators said the violent impact caused the SUV, the tanker, and the tractor to catch fire. The flames quickly spread across the vehicles, creating a large emergency response situation on the interstate. Officials previously confirmed that the driver of the SUV died at the scene. As of Tuesday, authorities said the identity of the driver was still under investigation.
The driver of the tractor hauling the tanker was not injured in the crash, according to police.
The fiery collision forced officials to shut down multiple roads in the area throughout much of Sunday. Traffic delays stretched for hours as firefighters and emergency crews worked to control the blaze, clear the wreckage, and investigate the cause of the crash. Interstate 287 later reopened around 5 p.m.
State Police have not released additional details about what may have led to the collision, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The crash has drawn attention because of the intensity of the fire and the significant traffic disruptions it caused across the region. Fatal tanker crashes are considered especially dangerous due to the risk of explosions and fast-moving flames when fuel is involved.
Officials continue to review evidence from the scene as investigators work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
Sources:
New Jersey State Police
New Jersey Department of Transportation
