HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (CBS) – A man was seriously injured after the car he was driving exploded today near the entrance to the Atlantic City Expressway.

The victim, John Deininger, of Swarthmore, is an employee of the Franklin Institute and was driving a vehicle owned by the Institute around 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Deininger was transporting a hydrogen tank in the rear of his vehicle, which began to leak, causing him to exit the highway and pull over.

As Deininger opened the trunk to check on the tank, a large explosion occurred. Though passing motorists used fire extinguishers to put out the fire, Deininger suffered serious injuries and was transported to Atlantic City Medical Center’s trauma unit.

The car was destroyed in the explosion.