By: centraljersey.com
A March 3 three-car accident involving a head-on collision and two cars engulfed in flames could have turned out much worse for the people involved.
Three individuals, including a child, were sent to area hospitals for treatment of pain. All were treated and released.
Hopewell Township police Lt. Lance Maloney said the accident occurred at 11:34 a.m. on Cherry Valley Road, just east of Aunt Molly Road.
An eastbound 2007 Lexus RX3, driven by Lloyd Tucker, 64, of Crusher Road, Hopewell Township, had struck the rear of a 2006 Honda Pilot, driven by Dayna Pendenza, 39, of North Main Street, Pennington. Ms. Pendenza had been stopped waiting to make a left turn into a private driveway. The collision forced Ms. Pendenza’s car, into the westbound lane where it was struck head on by a 1996 Lincoln Town Car driven by Mark Zimmerman, 53, of Agate Street, East Brunswick.
Ms. Pendenza’s car and Mr. Zimmerman’s car both caught fire after the collision. Ms. Pendenza, her 4-year-old son and Mr. Zimmerman were able to exit their cars before the cars were completely engulfed in flames.
Personnel from the Hopewell Fire Department and Hopewell Valley Emergency Services extinguished the car fires.
Ms. Pendenza, her son, and Mr. Zimmerman were transported by Hopewell Valley Emergency Services personnel and Hopewell Emergency Medical Unit members to area hospitals for complaints of pain.
The section of Cherry Valley Road between Aunt Molly Road and Province Line Road was closed for approximately two hours during this investigation.
Mr. Tucker was issued a summons for careless driving by township Officer Louis Vastola.

