Tractor-Trailer Flips on I-295 Exit Ramp in Lawrence

Update, 1 p.m. Dec. 27:

The exit ramp remains closed at this time while the cleanup effort continues. Authorities said the Trenton Fire Department's hazardous materials team was able to patch the damaged fuel tank and a heavy-duty towing service was able to successfully upright the flipped tractor-trailer before noon.

Original Story, 9:53 a.m. Dec. 27:

A tractor-trailer this morning (Thursday, Dec. 27) flipped onto its side and spilled its load of scrap metal on the exit ramp leading from Interstate 295 North (toward Pennsylvania) onto Route 1 South in Lawrence Township.

The accident, which was reported about 8:20 a.m., forced authorities to close the exit ramp to traffic.

The ramp was still closed as of 9:45 a.m. and authorities said they expected the ramp would be closed for several more hours while the mess is cleaned up.

The driver was not injured, authorities said, but one of the tractor’s saddle fuel tanks was damaged. Authorities estimated that about 5 or 6 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into a nearby storm drain.

Concerned that more of the tractor’s diesel fuel could spill when towing contractors go to upright and remove the rig, Lawrence Township firefighters called the Trenton Fire Department’s hazardous materials team to the scene to assess the situation and possibly remove the diesel fuel from the tractor’s compromised tank prior to clean-up efforts taking place.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by New Jersey State Police.