Overturned Tanker Truck Crushes Cars, Injures Five in Bernardsville

Five people were injured Wednesday after a gasoline tanker truck overturned, crushing two vehicles and injuring five occupants on Anderson Hill Road in Bernardsville. Officials said that while attempting to ascend a hill, the truck reportedly stalled and drifted backward, flipping onto two cars behind it.

Emergency responders freed trapped victims from the vehicles, and at least one person was airlifted to a nearby hospital. The truck driver reportedly refused medical assistance. All were listed in stable condition as of Wednesday afternoon.

Police said the truck was too heavy for Anderson Hill Road, where it should not have been operating. The tanker was not fully loaded but carrying 8,000 pounds of gasoline. Police said the accident caused only minimal fuel leakage.

Police are advising commuters to avoid the area, and all athletics and after-school activities at nearby schools were canceled for the afternoon. An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Overturned tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials can lead to serious safety and environmental risks, in addition to serious injuries. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 1,000 tanker truck rollovers involving hazardous materials occur each year in the United States, accounting for approximately six percent of all truck rollovers.

The most common causes of tanker truck rollovers include driver error, speeding, cargo shift, and mechanical failure. Cargo shifts are especially hazardous as liquids are more difficult to control and stabilize during turns and sudden maneuvers.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident, call Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. at 732-247-3600 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in New Brunswick, Somerville, and Freehold, New Jersey, we serve clients in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Somerset County.