After Swerving to Avoid Deer, Woman's Car Crashes, Catches on Fire

said a woman's car caught on fire after she swerved off the roadway to apparently avoid hitting a deer.

According to police, Alexandra L. Montena, 20, of Kinnelon, told officers she was driving her 2009 Land Rover too fast and adjusting her radio on Joanna Way, in Smoke Rise, when she looked up and saw a deer on the roadway Friday shortly before 5 p.m.

Police said she told them she swerved to the left and ran off the road, hitting a mailbox and then hitting the undercarriage on rocks. Police said she drove on the lawn of 12 Joanna Way.

While attempting to back the vehicle off the lawn and rocks, police said her car caught on fire. Police said she was able to exit the vehicle safely, at which point the . responded and extinguished the flames.

Police said Montena had complained of back pain, but declined medical treatment. She was issued a summons for careless driving.

Also from the Kinnelon Police Department

Kinnelon police are investigating a reported car burglary on Alize Drive on Saturday.

According to police, John B. McGorgan, 23, told police that his vehicle was entered sometime between Friday night at 11 p.m. and Saturday morning at 4 a.m., while he was attending a party at an Alize Drive residence.

Entry was gained through the rear-sliding window that was left open on the 1996 Dodge pickup, police said. Police said McGorgan reported several items stolen, including a pack of tissues, pack of bandaids, an air freshener, a Screaming Eagle Harley Davidson jacket (valued at about $300) and the faceplates of a Pioneer radio (valued at about $200).

Police said the total value of the stolen property is approximately $500. Police are asking anyone with any information to call 973-838-5400.