Car rear-ends truck on Route 80, explodes into flame — 1 dead

PARSIPPANY — One person was killed when a Ford Fusion hit a tractor trailer from behind on Route 80, setting both vehicles on fire on Wednesday, according to State Police.

Video broadcast by News 12 New Jersey showed a large plume of black smoke into the air.

State Police spokesman Sgt. Lawrence Peele said the truck was parked on the right shoulder when it was struck around 7:40 a.m. in the inner roadway at Route 287.  He said the driver of the Ford died at the scene but would not disclose the male's identity pending family notification.  The drivers were the only individuals in their respective vehicles.

The incident created a multi-mile westbound delay that went back at least 10 miles to Wayne. There was also a long delay on Route 280 approaching Route 80. An ongoing investigation blocked the right lane as of 11:15 a.m.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

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