MANCHESTER — A single-vehicle crash that led to a car fire is under investigation, police said.
Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department were dispatched at about 8:05 a.m. on February 5 to the area of Courtney Lane and Renaissance Boulevard for a reported crash involving a vehicle fire. When officers arrived, they found a black 2011 Hyundai Sonata fully engulfed in flames. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time.
Police secured the area while firefighters responded. Crews from the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department and the Manchester career fire division worked together to quickly extinguish the blaze.
The driver, identified as 49-year-old Daryl Rosenblatt of Toms River, told officers he experienced a complete brake failure while traveling northbound on Renaissance Drive as he approached the stop sign at Renaissance Boulevard. He also reported seeing smoke coming from the front of the vehicle.
According to police, Rosenblatt attempted to stop by steering into a snow embankment before turning onto Renaissance Boulevard, where the car struck a second snowbank on the passenger side. The vehicle came to rest just before Courtney Lane. After the driver exited the car, it caught fire.
Due to the severity of the damage, investigators were unable to test the braking system or fully assess impact damage. Police said the fire does not appear suspicious. No injuries were reported.
The incident is being investigated by Patrolman Sage Sysol of the Manchester Township Police Department. Police thanked the responding fire departments for their swift response and professionalism at the scene.
