Gas leak leads to evacuation of South Brunswick, NJ neighborhood
⭕ SUV struck a house, causing a gas leak
⭕ PSE&G quickly turned off the gas after a leak developed
⭕ Police say two people were injured in the incident
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Some anxious moments for some residents and children Wednesday morning after a gas leak caused a shelter-in-place and an evacuation.
South Brunswick Deputy Police Chief James Ryan told New Jersey 101.5 that the Toyota RAV 4 driven by a 37-year-old woman in the student drop-off lane at the Brunswick Acres Elementary School on Kory Drive around 8:50 a.m. suddenly accelerated forward. It raced across the grass, went partially airbourne and into the back of a house next to the school.
The impact ruptured the home's gas main and a call to evacuate the neighborhood, Ryan said. PSE&G responded quickly to the scene and turned the gas off after a large amount of gas was released into the air, according to Ryan.
The woman and a 6-year-old boy who was inside the car at the time were taken to a hospital with moderate injuries. The cause of the acceleration remains under investigation.
The school was temporarily put on a shelter-in-place mode but resumed a normal day.
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House significantly damaged
Images of the crash show the SUV hit a corner of the house, causing significant damage.
“It was the start of the school day and the crash left many people shaken. There was excellent work by all involved to make sure those injured received treatment, homes were evacuated, and the students were kept safe. We are thankful no one was seriously injured in the crash. The coordination by school officials, school resources officers, patrol officers, firefighters and EMS demonstrated the excellent partnership we have,” said Chief Raymond Hayducka.
Over 425 students attend Brunswick Acres, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
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