Car Catches Fire in NJ Crash With Building; Driver Arrested
Car accidents tend to involve other vehicles but they may sometimes involve buildings. This is what recently happened in New Jersey.
A car crashed into a building in River Edge on the morning of June 3. The vehicle burst into flames upon impact. The occupants of the vehicle were able to exit the vehicle before they were engulfed by flames. They were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Those inside the building were able to escape. One resident was treated for smoke inhalation. The driver, a 35-year-old man from New Milford, was charged with assault by auto.
The incident occurred when a vehicle traveled down Midland Avenue at a high rate of speed and crashed into a real estate office on Kinderkamack Road. Surveillance footage from a neighboring business captured the dramatic collision, which sent the vehicle airborne before it slammed into the building and burst into flames.
A witness saw the car come down at a very high rate of speed and ram right into the building, launching the car into the air. The property manager for the building said four tenants were forced to evacuate quickly. Two residents escaped through a rear fire escape, while the other two exited through the front of the building. Fortunately, everyone got out safely and there were no employees in the office at the time.
Local residents and business owners say the intersection has a history of serious crashes and that vehicles have struck nearby buildings on multiple occasions. Nearby residents say they see people speeding down the hill all the time. Many attribute the problem to reckless driving and a lack of respect for roadway safety.
Officials have deemed the damaged building unsafe to occupy while assessments and repairs are conducted. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents with temporary housing. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing and is being led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Crashes Involving Buildings: What to Know
Vehicle crashes into buildings can result in serious injuries, fatalities, fires, structural damage, and the displacement of residents or businesses.
Common causes of building crashes include:
- Drivers traveling too fast may lose control, especially on curves, steep hills, or wet roadways.
- Impaired driving. Alcohol and drug impairment remain leading factors in many crashes involving buildings, particularly during overnight and early morning hours.
- Distracted driving. Using a phone, adjusting vehicle controls, or other distractions can lead drivers to veer off the road and into structures.
- Driver error. Mistaking the accelerator for the brake, failing to navigate turns, or overcorrecting after leaving the roadway can send vehicles into nearby buildings.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Cars are powerful machines that can cause a lot of damage when they collide with a building or other object.
Serious injuries are also common. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, contact a Morristown car accidents attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff right away. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (973) 455-1567.
Source:
cbsnews.com/newyork/news/river-edge-nj-car-hits-building/
