Truck Driver Escapes Fatal Crash On Route 78

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Route 78 Crash
Image Source: NJ.com
Route 78 Crash
Image Source: NJ.com

Truck Driver Escapes Fatal Crash; One Dead, One In Critical Condition

A driver of a truck involved in a collision on I-78 in New Jersey near New York City Saturday escapes his flaming truck by crawling through the broken windshield. The driver, Balwinder Singh, 35, was hospitalized in critical condition. The driver of a car that reportedly collided with Signgh’s truck was killed in the crash. The driver of a second tractor-trailer involved in the crash has since been released from hospital.

It looked like a movie set,” Ben Toler told Truckers Logic. “It could have been a lot worse. You never think it will happen to you and then you’re in that situation. Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone tonight.”

The crash on Saturday afternoon left one person dead and another in critical condition. James Pinaire, 24, was driving an Audi A4 onto Route 78 westbound in Union when he traveled into the path of a fuel tanker, police said. Pinaire was pronounced dead at the scene. The car and tanker then hit the mulch truck 53-year-old Mario Quiroz was driving.

Quiroz spoke with CBS New York thanks to his daughter translating for him. “God gave me another chance to live.” Quiroz said he was able to escape through the window of his truck though he was only able to open it halfway. He said he thought he was going to die.