Officials identify man killed in fiery New Jersey crash

CLIFTON, N.J. (PIX11) – Officials identified the man killed in a fiery crash on Route 3 Monday as a 55-year-old from Linden.

Luis Santiago, 55, was found dead after the tractor-trailer he was driving burst into flames on the eastbound Route 3 around 9 a.m. Monday, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

The truck collided with an NJ Transit Bus carrying 29 people, then crashed into the sound barrier near Valley Road, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Clifton Acting Fire Chief Daniel Collins initially said the bus rear-ended the tractor-trailer, but the prosecutor’s office on Wednesday said the truck instead clipped the bus before crashing into the barrier.

The crash prompted Route 3 closures and the New Jersey Department of Transportation is repairing damaged asphalt in the area. All lanes and the ramp to Valley Road reopened Tuesday, according to the Department of Transportation.

The City of Clifton confirmed drinking water in the area is safe after firefighting efforts caused discoloration and that officials are cleaning up the roadway and neighboring properties. The Department of Environmental Protection tested air quality near the crash and determined it was safe.

A spokesperson for Brenntag, the company that owns and operates the truck, said it was carrying flammable, non-toxic materials. City officials confirmed the chemicals on board included acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, acetone and others.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here .

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