Fiery Crash on NJ Turnpike Raises Questions About Precautions
Six hospitalized as flames engulf multi-vehicle collision near Barrington
On April 29, 2025, at approximately 1:50 a.m., a three-vehicle collision sparked a fire that engulfed at least one vehicle. As CBS News reported:
“New Jersey State Police said the crash happened when the driver of a Ford SUV struck the guardrail on the right side of the highway, veered left and hit the concrete barrier, and then came to a stop in the left lane. After that, a man driving an Infiniti SUV rear-ended the stopped Ford, sending both SUVs into the path of a Freightliner tractor-trailer.”
Although CBS News stated that only the Ford SUV driver was “seriously injured,” rival station FOX 29 reported “The crash left eight people injured, and at least six of them hospitalized.” Five of the victims were children.
The exact sequence of events in the chain-reaction crash remains under investigation, but several potential factors are worth noting:
- Visibility — At roughly 2 a.m., darkness and rainy conditions limited visibility.
- Road conditions — Rain can make for slick conditions, making stopping, slowing, and evasive maneuvers difficult.
- Speed — Did the driver of the Ford lose control of the vehicle because he was going too fast for conditions?
- Driver fatigue — At about 2 a.m., it’s possible that drowsiness was a factor that caused the Ford driver to hit the guardrail. No suspicions of alcohol or drug use were reported at the time.
These factors are worth consideration for anyone who anticipates driving at night, especially during inclement weather. Unless you compensate for conditions, you face an increased risk of an accident.
However, perhaps the most dramatic element of this crash is the vehicle fire that erupted. This is an absolute nightmare scenario, especially for a parent driving with children in the vehicle. For this reason, we want to take a moment to remind NJ drivers about the dangers of vehicle fires and offer some advice on the proper precautions every driver must take.
Recommended precautions for preventing vehicle fires
Vehicle fires can result from mechanical failures, fuel leaks, electrical issues, or collisions. These account for about 16 percent of all fires reported in the U.S., causing hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars in damages annually. Various authorities, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the American Automobile Association (AAA), provide evidence-based guidelines to minimize risks of a vehicle fire. Drawing on that guidance, we present these tips:
- Conduct regular vehicle maintenance and inspections — Schedule routine tune-ups to check the fuel system, brakes, exhaust, electrical wiring, and cooling system for leaks, corrosion, or wear. Overheating engines or faulty wiring are leading causes of fires. AAA notes several areas of concern, which include repeatedly blown fuses that “could be either a faulty component or a wiring problem,” as well as “oil leaks,” that provide fuel for fires. A simple oversight, like not having your engine’s oil cap on tightly enough, can fuel a fire.
- Take care when transporting gasoline — NFPA warns that “If you must transport gasoline, transport only a small amount in a certified gas can that is sealed.” You should never transport gas cans or propane cylinders in the passenger compartment.
- Don’t ignore your instruments — Rapid changes in fuel or fluid level or engine temperature can indicate an increased risk of a vehicle fire due to escaping fuel or overheating of the engine.
- Be careful where you park a hot car — AAA warns that catalytic converters can run hot enough to “ignite dried grass directly under the parked vehicle.” When pulling off the road, avoid shoulders with parched grass that could fuel a fire.
- Drive safely — It should go without saying that when you reduce your chances of an accident, you reduce your chances of an accident-related fire.
Finally, if you own an electric vehicle, there are special fire prevention considerations, which AAA explains here.
How to respond to a vehicle fire
NFPA lists these steps to respond to a vehicle fire:
- Pull over as quickly as it is safe to do so, be sure to use your signal as you make your
way to a safe location off the road such as the breakdown lane or rest stop.
- Once you have stopped, TURN OFF the engine.
- Get everyone out of the car. Never return to a burning car for anything.
- Move everyone at least 100 feet from the burning car and well away from traffic.
- CALL 9-1-1.
Can you fight the fire? The answer to that question depends on several factors.
- First, do you have anything to fight the fire with? Authorities recommend carrying an extinguisher approved for Class B or Class C fires. If you have one, can safely reach it, and know how to use it, you still need to proceed with caution.
- Where is the fire? Only attempt to put out the fire if you have clear access to the source from outside the vehicle and can maintain a safe distance. Avoid any fire that is not small and localized to a specific part of the car.
- Keep it closed! You must never open the hood or trunk to reach a fire, because you’ll be feeding it additional oxygen which will only make the conflagration worse. You can pop the latch on the hood and spray through the opening, but do not lift the hood.
- Are you standing somewhere safe? Never stand on the roadway to fight the fire. Drivers may not see you, and you risk being struck. The draught of a passing semi-truck can actually pull you onto the highway.
In many cases, extinguishing the fire yourself limits property damage and prevents the fire from spreading. You could also save the life of someone who is trapped in a burning vehicle. However, you must never put your life at risk simply to prevent the loss of replaceable items.
Contact Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus for a free auto accident consultation
Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus provides highly professional and compassionate legal representation for victims of highway accidents in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at (201) 534-5011 or contact our firm online.
