Car Catches Fire, Injuring Trapped Driver

Photo by Jason Allentoff

  BRICK – After colliding into a utility pole, a car caught fire and left the driver trapped inside with serious injuries, police said.

  On June 12, the Brick Township Police Department and the Lakewood Police Department responded to reports about a single-car crash east of the Garden State Parkway entrance on Cedar Bridge Avenue.

  Reports stated how a car crashed into a utility pole, causing the top section of the pole to break off and land on the roof of car, resulting in the car catching fire. Brenton Woods Fire Company (Station 21), Pioneer Fire Company (Station 22), and Lakewood Fire Department Engine 5 along with the Brick Township Police Traffic Safety Unit were all at the scene.

  Police said Kyle Mueller, 18, of Brick was driving west on Cedar Bridge Avenue. As Mueller passed the Parkway entrance, he drove onto the shoulder and then turned abruptly left crossing over the center line and crashing into the guardrail on the shoulder of the eastbound lane. The car then went on top of the guardrail, hitting the utility pole and breaking it.

  According to police, the top section of the pole with the power lines still attached were on the roof of car, causing it to catch on fire with Mueller trapped inside.

  A passerby and an off-duty Lakewood Police Officer help extract Mueller from the car and performed first aid until police arrived.

  Mueller was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital by Brick Police EMS and Paramedics from Hackensack Meridian Hospital for his injuries.

  Once Jersey Central Power and Light arrived at the scene, they de-energized the down power lines and deemed the scene safe. Afterwards, the fire departments on location extinguish the fire.

  Anyone who may have witnessed or has information related to the crash can contact Ptl. David Thergesen at 732-451-2037.