An elderly New Jersey man died and his wife was critically injured after he reportedly suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel, sending their SUV crashing through two fences and into a house before a massive fire erupted.
The terrifying accident unfolded around 2 p.m. Monday, October 26, along a winding stretch of Route 563 in Woodland Township, Burlington County, where neighbors say dangerous crashes have become an all-too-familiar problem.
George Sears Jr., 82, of Toms River, was driving south in a Subaru with his 76-year-old wife, Susan, when he suddenly lost control of the vehicle, according to New Jersey State Police.
The SUV veered off the right side of the road, tore through two fences and slammed into a nearby residence. Moments later, the vehicle caught fire, with flames quickly spreading to the house.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene as firefighters battled the blaze and rescue personnel worked to help those involved.
Sears died following the crash, while his wife suffered critical injuries and was transported to Cooper Medical Center for treatment.
Local television station 6ABC reported that Sears had suffered an apparent medical emergency shortly before losing control. However, authorities have not publicly disclosed the nature of that emergency or confirmed whether it caused the crash.
The frightening collision also put the elderly homeowners in danger.
The couple, reportedly in their 80s, were inside their house with their dog when the SUV struck the building. Remarkably, both homeowners escaped without injuries, although the resulting fire left them displaced.
Firefighters from the Hampton Lakes Volunteer Fire Company and surrounding departments responded to the emergency, which officials described as a serious house fire requiring assistance from multiple agencies.
While investigators work to determine exactly what happened, the accident has reignited longstanding concerns about the dangerous curve where the collision occurred.
Nearby resident Benito Rinaudo told reporters that vehicles regularly struggle to navigate the bend, which has a reported speed limit of 35 mph.
“People can’t handle the curve,” Rinaudo told 6ABC, estimating that two or three accidents occur along the stretch every year.
He believes the crashes have become increasingly severe and says he has spent considerable time and money trying to warn approaching drivers about the hazardous roadway.
According to Rinaudo, he installed flashing warning lights and other safety measures near his property in an effort to prevent another disaster. He told FOX 29 that he had spent approximately $1,000 on a flashing arrow sign and had repeatedly raised concerns with local officials.
Despite those efforts, Monday’s deadly crash brought the danger frighteningly close to home.
“We don’t feel safe,” Rinaudo told FOX 29, expressing frustration that residents have had to take their own precautions to protect their properties and families.
He also expressed sympathy for his elderly neighbors, whose home was damaged in the blaze.
“It’s horrible for my neighbors who are 80 years old being displaced right now,” he told 6ABC.
The collision has left one family mourning a loved one, another woman hospitalized with serious injuries and an elderly couple facing the difficult task of recovering from a devastating house fire.
Authorities have not announced whether additional safety improvements are being considered for the roadway.
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