Passenger killed in fiery New Jersey car crash

One person was killed in a fiery two-vehicle crash in Elizabeth on Nov. 26. The accident happened around 6:30 p.m. near the 99.5 mile marker on the New Jersey Turnpike.

A representative of the New Jersey State Police said a 2010 Ford vehicle was stopped on the southbound shoulder of the Turnpike. It was rear-ended by a small dump truck, which caused the Ford to burst into flames. The drivers of both vehicles managed to escape the fire, but a passenger sitting in the Ford’s backseat was trapped by the collision.

The unidentified victim suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Ford driver was treated for minor injuries at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth and released. The dump truck driver was not hurt.

Police said they were unlikely to press charges against the dump truck driver. The accident is still under investigation.

Even when police choose not to file charges against a driver who caused a fatal car accident, the victim’s next of kin may still seek legal relief through a wrongful death claim. With the help of an attorney, a family may be able to show that a negligent driver was responsible for their loved one’s death. A lawyer could examine police reports, witness accounts and crash scene investigation results to find evidence of driver negligence such as reckless or distracted driving. A successful claim could bring the victim’s family financial compensation to cover medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of companionship, lost wages and other damages.

Source: NJ.com, “Passenger who died in Turnpike crash was trapped in car when fire broke out, police say“, Katie Lannan, November 26, 2014