Crime & Safety

Crash Causes Fuel Spill on Short Hills Avenue, One Hospitalized

[UPDATED] Department of Environmental Protection took over the 30 to 40 gallon fuel cleanup at the intersection of Short Hills Avenue and Pine Terrace following a crash where one person was hospitalized, Millburn fire officials say.

Updated 6:30 p.m.

A water utility truck spilled 30 to 40 gallons of diesel fuel onto Short Hills Avenue Thursday after it was hit by another car, according to township officials.  

A Toyota Scion collided with a New Jersey American Water utility truck around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Short Hills Avenue and Pine Terrace hospitalizing the driver of the Toyota, officials said.

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The crash, which appeared to be a head-on collision, caused the truck to dump up to 40 gallons of its diesel fuel onto the street and into sewers, Fire Chief Michael Roberts said. 

The Nutley Township hazmat unit arrived at about 3:50 p.m. to clean up the fuel but the Department of Environmental Protection took over the scene around 6 p.m. Millburn FD will continue to assist DEP to flush out fuel in the catch basins along the road, Roberts said. 

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Police blocked off traffic in either direction for about a block around the crash on Short Hills Avenue. The street closure is also causing traffic to build on Millburn Avenue.

Police and fire personnel from Millburn and surrounding townships were also on standby. 

Springfield officials were also notified because the fuel may flow into their town's sewer system, Roberts said.  

No further information is currently available about the person hospitalized. 

Patch will update this story when more information is available. Check back for further updates. 


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