Single Car Rollover Wakes Neighbors on North Avenue Early Tuesday Morning

A 28-year-old Scotch Plains man sustained only minor injuries after totaling his car early Tuesday morning in Fanwood.

According to Detective Eugene Chin of the Fanwood Police Department, the driver, whose name has not been released, was driving west on North Avenue at 3:09 a.m. when he thought he saw headlights in front of him. The man said he cut the wheel to the right, causing his vehicle to swerve off of the road, Chin said. After striking the curb, the car's momentum caused it to careen over several small trees and shrubs, uproot a fire hydrant, and severely dent a road sign. The car, a red Ford Taurus, also rolled multiple times during the accident, according to the police report.

Several nearby residents who heard the crash, which occurred between 141 and 145 North Avenue, emerged from their homes to see what had happened.

"I was scared to come downstairs," said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. "The whole house shook. I thought a bomb had gone off."

According to neighbors, the man sat on the curb massaging his back and shoulders after walking away from the wreck. Shortly thereafter, police and the Fanwood Rescue Squad arrived, placed the man on a stretcher, and transported him to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick, where he was treated for minor injuries.

"He was alert and talking," said the resident. "He was clearly aware of what had happened."

The police report did not include the speed at which the vehicle was traveling, but it did state that the driver did not appear to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

Neighbors  expressed concern about driving patterns on North Avenue. "[The driver] is a very lucky guy because I found pieces of his car on my lawn," said Nick Galakis, who lives on North Avenue. "In general, everyone takes this turn too quickly. I always deliberately slow down."