An 82-year-old man has died and a passenger is seriously injured after a Subaru crashed into a home in Woodland Township, New Jersey, sparking a fire along Route 563.
George Sears Jr was driving with Susan Sears, 76, when he lost control of the vehicle at about 2pm on Monday, 26 October, according to New Jersey State Police.
The crash happened near milepost 42.9 on County Road 563. The Subaru tore through two fences before striking the occupied property, where it burst into flames.
Fire spread from the vehicle to the house, but firefighters extinguished the blaze. Mr Sears suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead, while Ms Sears was taken to hospital in serious condition.
The homeowners were inside when the car hit the building but managed to escape safely, neighbour Benito Renaudo said.
Safety concerns on Route 563
Mr Renaudo said the stretch of road had been the scene of previous accidents and that he had taken steps to make a bend more visible to motorists.
“I put some beacon lights out there, so everybody can see this, and it’s not just a dark curve,” he said, adding that he had spent $1,000 on a flashing arrow sign.
He said he had also installed a telephone pole and contacted Burlington County officials about the dangers posed by the road, but believed wider action was needed.
“We don’t feel safe,” Mr Renaudo said. “If I have to put logs up so we don’t die just to get our mail, something’s wrong.”
New Jersey State Police are investigating the circumstances of the fatal crash.
