Woman Unhurt When Pole, Transformers Land On SUV In Wall Crash

WALL, NJ — A Lacey Township woman escaped injury Sunday morning when her SUV caught fire after she hit a utility pole, bringing 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, snapping the pole and bringing it and the transformers down on the SUV.

That caused the SUV to catch fire, Carpino said, but Patrolman Mike Cacciatore, who responded to the crash, was able to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher, allowing the driver to get out of the SUV.

South Wall Fire Department, Wall First Aid and Jersey Central Power and Light all responded to the scene and assisted, he said. The driver did not report any injuries and refused medical attention.

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