SAYREVILLE — A Linden resident was injured during an accident Sunday when his car became wedged under a gasoline tanker near Victory Circle.
Grzegorz Figas, 28, had to be extricated from his 1997 BMW after it became stuck under the tanker, dragged and then caught fire during the accident at about 1:20 a.m., police said.
Figas was reportedly driving north in the southbound lane of routes 9 and 35 when his car collided with a 1995 Dodge driven by Rafael Martinez, 19, of Pine Island Terrace in Cliffwood Beach. Following the collision, Figas lost control of his vehicle and continued for approximately 91 feet before colliding with the tanker carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline, police said.
Figas’ vehicle became stuck under the truck, driven by Russell Serrante, 62, of Staten Island, N.Y. The truck dragged the BMW for about 298 feet before coming to a stop against a concrete divider in the center of the highway, according to police reports.
The BMW had caught fire during this time, and with Figas still inside, Serrante began extinguishing the flames with the truck’s fire extinguisher.
Volunteers with the Melrose and President Park fire companies, as well as the Morgan and Sayreville first aid squads, responded and had to use extrication equipment to get Figas out of the vehicle.
Figas was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, where he was listed in fair condition on Monday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Martinez and Serrante were also treated for injuries following the accident.
Routes 9 and 35 were both closed in the area for more than six hours while the accident was cleared. The Sayreville Police Traffic Safety Bureau is investigating the incident.
— Jennifer Dome