PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A van slammed into the front of a nursing home in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, overnight and burst into flames. Police said the driver was intoxicated.
It happened around 11:45 p.m. Sunday at Ridgewood Senior Living on Moss Mill Road.
Police said the driver, 40-year-old Eliel Vazquez-Hernandez, of Mays Landing, was speeding when he went through the parking lot and into the front of the facility. The van also struck some landscaping, a fire hydrant and a parked car.
The van then caught fire.
Nicholas Bramble was walking with friends in the area when he heard the crash and ran over to help.
“We got the driver safe, when all of a sudden the vehicle burst into flames,” he told NBC10. “We walked over, started knocking on the window of the nursing home to make sure everyone was OK. Some nursing lady came over, opened the door and then we ran inside, pulled the fire alarm and helped escort some of the residents out.”
More than 100 residents and staff were briefly evacuated before being allowed back in the building. During the evacuation, two residents sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. The driver was also taken to the hospital.
Authorities said firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, preventing more extensive damage to the building.
Police took Vazquez-Hernandez into custody on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He was also charged with related vehicle offenses.
2 residents sustained minor injuries
2 residents sustained minor injuries
