Family and friends mourn the death of the tanker driver involved in the rollover and explosion Friday in Chicopee. Aaron Staelens, 43, of Richmond, N.H. was originally from Franklin County.

Staelens' younger sister, Heidi Riordan, said she can't believe he is gone.

"I'm just trying to deal with it. I'm going to miss him," said Riordan.

Staelens was driving his tanker truck on Interstate 91 when he swerved to avoid hitting two cars involved in an accident, but instead wound up crashing into a guard rail on the infamously-named "Chicopee Curve." The crash ignited the nearly 9,500 gallons of gasoline and 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel inside.

Staelens reportedly suffered third-degree burns over 70 percent of his body as he escaped from the vehicle. He was first transported to Bay State Medical Center and later flown to Mass. General.

"He was a wonderful person and we're going to miss him... And the fact that he did what he did to avoid a bigger accident was just really who he was," said Riordan.

Staelens was a native of Conway in Franklin County. He later moved to Richmond, N.H., and worked as a driver for Abenaqui Carriers of North Hampton, N.H. Friends and family said Staelens was an avid hunter and biker, and enjoyed the company of his dog, Zoe.

His roommate said Staelens was planning to spend some time with his pals later that night.

"You know, we were just going to have a nice dinner with a few friends... But it never happened," said John Kohler.

Witnesses said that drivers who saw the crash ran to help Staelens... something his friends and family say he would have done for anyone else.

"He will definitely be missed by a lot of people to say the least," Kohler said.

Mass. State Police say the driver of the other vehicle that triggered that crash, Victor Aponte of Holyoke will now likely face charges of motor vehicle homicide.