By: Richard L. Smith
Police have shut down all southbound lanes of Route 1 and 9 following a significant collision between a car and a tanker truck early Monday morning.
The crash, which occurred near Bond Street around 5:10 a.m., led to a fire after the car collided with the tanker.
Emergency crews arriving on the scene found the tanker truck in flames, but reports said the truck was near empty of fuel during the crash.
Firefighters quickly managed to extinguish the blaze and then conducted a thorough search of both vehicles.
Remarkably, no injuries were reported despite the intensity of the fire.
As cleanup and investigative efforts continue, all lanes have been closed from Elizabeth Avenue onwards.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect significant delays during the morning rush.
Authorities are working to reopen the highway as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, drivers should seek alternate routes to circumvent the crash site.