Fiery Crash Kills Union County Man After Vehicle Went Airborne

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A 28-year-old Union County man was killed in a fiery crash in Middlesex County after authorities said his vehicle went airborne and crashed near Thompson Park.

The crash happened around 1:16 a.m. on May 11 near the intersection of Forsgate Drive and Buckelew Avenue in Jamesburg, according to the Jamesburg Police Department.

Authorities said officers arrived to find a vehicle fully engulfed in flames with the driver trapped inside. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and later identified as Juan Camilo Chara Lucumi of Union County.

Investigators said the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Forsgate Drive at a high rate of speed when it lost control, struck a dam wall near Thompson Park, and became airborne.

Officials said the vehicle then traveled over Buckelew Avenue, struck a bridge over the Manalapan Creek, and came to rest along the creek embankment.

According to investigators, the vehicle traveled approximately 250 feet through the air before landing.

Multiple agencies responded to assist at the scene, including Monroe Township police and fire officials, the Jamesburg and Helmetta fire departments, Monroe Township EMS, and Middlesex County Hazmat crews.

The crash remains under investigation.