Lacey Woman Uninjured When SUV Hits Pole, Catches On Fire In Wall

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ - A Lacey Township woman was uninjured when her SUV caught fire after she hit a utility pole, which brought the pole and three transformers down on her car, Wall Township police said.

The woman, a 39-year-old Forked River resident, was driving west on Atlantic Avenue about 6 a.m. on Sunday when she lost control of her 2010 Chevy Equinox, Detective Lt. Greg Carpino said.

The Equinox left the road near Tilton's Corner Road and hit a utility pole holding three transformers, Carpino said.

The impact snapped the pole, which brought the pole and the transformers down on the vehicle, which caused the SUV to catch fire, he said.

Patrolman Mike Cacciatore was able to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher, so the driver was able to get out of the SUV. She was uninjured and refused any medical attention, Carpino said.

South Wall Fire Department, Wall First Aid and Jersey Central Power and Light all responded to the scene and assisted.

Atlantic Avenue was closed from Tilton's Corner Road to Route 34 for about 10 hours while Jersey Central Power and Light made repairs to the utility pole, Carpino said.

The crash remains under investigation and anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Cacciatore at 732-449-4500, Carpino said.

Photo by Wall Township Police