Police ID driver killed in fiery Route 3 crash after truck clipped NJ Transit bus

Police have identified the tractor-trailer driver killed Monday when his truck collided with a New Jersey Transit bus and went up in flames on Route 3 in Passaic County.

Luis Santiago, 55, of Linden, was driving a commercial truck on Route 3 East in Clifton when he “clipped” a bus carrying 29 passengers, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi.

The impact caused the truck to crash into a highway sound barrier and erupt in a fireball of flames. The driver was killed in the crash.

Santiago’s body was found after the fire was brought under control, authorities said.

There were no injuries to the passengers or the driver of the bus, authorities said.

The crash, reported shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, forced lane closures and heavy traffic delays for nearly two days.

Stories by Anthony G. Attrino

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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