Moments Before Flames Ignite, Basking Ridge Cop Helps Woman Out Of Crashed Car

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A quick-acting Bernards Township Police Officer was able to ensure a driver was safe moments before her SUV's engine ignited into flames on Tuesday afternoon.

At around 3 p.m., Bernards Township Police Sgt. Ray Gizienski was on scene investigating a minor crash that happened near the Old Mill Inn, when he saw another crash take place near the entrance to Route 287 South, said Police Chief Timothy King to Patch.

Gizienski ran over to the second crash and found an SUV with heavy front-end damage and smoke beginning to emanate from the engine area.

Gizienski opened the driver's side door and helped an adult woman (sole occupant) to get out of the vehicle, said King.

While ensuring the woman was a safe distance from the crash, Gizienski told responding Officers to help with her injuries.

"Moments later, flames ignited in the engine area and Sgt. Gizienski utilized several fire extinguishers to ensure the fire did not spread to both the SUV and the other vehicle involved in the crash," said King.

Officers Tim Polizzi and Joe Gorky also helped to make sure the vehicle fire was out and the scene was safe.

King also noted that while Gizienski was running over to the SUV, he was able to verbally ensure the two people of the second vehicle involved in the crash were not injured.

At the time of the crash, it appeared the occupant of the SUV’s injuries were luckily minor in nature, although she was taken to the hospital.

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