Major gas tanker explosion triggered by deer vs. car crash

New Jersey police say that an early morning tanker truck crash resulted in an explosion and fire on Wednesday.

The crash occurred around 3 a.m. on November 3 in Manchester Township, New Jersey, according to a news release from Manchester Police.

The incident began as 18 year old Marissa Patterson was driving a 2017 Honda Civic east on State Highway 37.

The Honda struck a deer near mile marker 1.5 and became disabled in active lanes of traffic.

Patterson exited the disabled vehicle and walked off to the side of the roadway to call police.

It was then that a tanker truck hauling gasoline driven by 46 year old Svilen Ivanov struck the Honda, then swerved into the center concrete barrier.

The truck separated from the trailer, went over the concrete barrier, and came to a stop on the westbound shoulder of SH 37.

The tanker trailer overturned in the eastbound lanes of SH 37, causing the gasoline to spill and explode.

Police said that the explosion set fire to both lanes of the roadway, compromising its integrity, and damaging surrounding businesses and the adjacent wooded area.

While no one was hurt, Ivanov was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The crash remains under investigation by Manchester Police.