An auto accident involving a traditional tractor-trailer can be detrimental in its own right. When truck accidents involve a fuel tanker, or other vessels carrying explosive materials, the results can be even worse, as witnessed by many New Jersey residents.

A fuel tanker and a car collided in the late-night hours in Elizabeth, New Jersey, causing a violent explosion and claiming the life of the car's driver.

The events took place heading northbound on Route 1 and 9 in the Bayway Circle, police reported. A Mitsubishi was traveling north, reportedly at a high rate of speed. Cameras in the area clocked the driver going about 75 mph.

The fuel tanker was slowly making its way through the circle, heading toward South Elmira Avenue when the car struck it. The collision caused a fiery explosion and flames almost instantly consumed the Mitsubishi. Amazingly, the driver of the fuel tanker was able to vacate the vehicle unscathed. The car's driver perished.

The driver of the tanker, a 30-year-old man from New York who was driving for a company based out of Linden, claimed that the Mitsubishi was driving erratically, possibly drag racing another vehicle. He said the driver ran through two stoplights before the collision. This was not something that authorities could verify.

Law enforcement continued to work on identifying the driver of the Mitsubishi. They believe it was a Newark man, and were waiting the results of a DNA test to confirm.

The crash created quite a scene, with flames reaching around 60 feet up in the air. The tanker was carrying roughly 8,500 gallons of fuel en route to a gas station. Residents of nearby homes had to evacuate while fire crews worked to contain the blaze.

Source: The Star-Ledger, "Authorities believe driver killed in Elizabeth tanker crash was Newark resident," Jan. 24, 2012