3 dead in accident on I-287

MAHWAH TOWNSHIP (AP) — Three people were killed and others suffered minor injuries in a fiery crash on Interstate 287 in north Jersey near the New York state border.

A tractor-trailer carrying a load of bricks struck the side of a disabled cement truck that was being worked on in the right shoulder of northbound Route 287 near Mahwah Township around 12:30 on Tuesday afternoon, according to New Jersey State Police Capt. Stephen Jones.

Two repair workers and the cement truck driver were outside and standing near the disabled vehicle when they were fatally struck, Jones said. Their names had not been released as of Tuesday evening, pending family notifications. Jones said all three men worked for the concrete company, which was also not immediately identified.

Police said the tractor-trailer also struck a silver Toyota Avalon, which remained in contact with the front of the truck until it ended up on the right shoulder ahead of the cement truck. The tractor-trailer driver and a husband and wife who were in the Toyota were able to escape before both vehicles became engulfed in flames, Jones said. All three received minor injuries and were treated at two local hospitals.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

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