Bridgewater, NJ (March 6, 2025) – A heroic rescue took place early Wednesday morning when a police officer pulled an unconscious driver from a burning vehicle following a collision with a tanker truck on Route 22 westbound near the Thompson Avenue exit.
According to authorities, Officer Noah Allat of the Bridgewater Police Department responded to the crash at approximately 2:11 a.m. after a car struck the rear of a tanker truck. Upon arrival, Allat found flames rising from the car as a 26-year-old passenger managed to escape. However, the driver—a 44-year-old resident of North Plainfield—was unconscious and trapped inside.
The tanker truck, which had been exiting the Speedway gas station at the time of the collision, traveled approximately 685 feet with the car stuck to its rear before coming to a stop, police reported. The truck driver informed Officer Allat that, although the tanker was empty at the time of the crash, it had previously contained a diesel and kerosene mix.
Without hesitation, Allat ran to the burning vehicle, pulled the unconscious driver out, and dragged him to safety. Emergency responders then transported the driver to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for treatment.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Our thoughts are with the injured driver, and we wish him a full recovery.
Tanker Truck Accidents in New Jersey
Collisions involving large commercial trucks, such as tankers, often result in serious injuries due to their size and the hazardous materials they sometimes carry. Even when a tanker is empty, residual fuel vapors can pose a fire risk, as seen in this incident on Route 22.
Accidents involving passenger vehicles and trucks frequently occur near gas stations and highway exits, where vehicles merge and sudden stops are more common. In this case, the impact of the crash rendered the driver unconscious, highlighting the severe consequences of high-speed collisions.
New Jersey law provides avenues for accident victims to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from such crashes. Understanding one’s legal rights and seeking appropriate support can be crucial to the recovery process.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, seeking immediate medical attention and legal guidance can help protect your rights. Resources are available to assist you during this challenging time.