Two Township Cars Involved in Post-Sandy Accidents

Two township vehicles were involved in accidents the day after Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, according to township administrator Frank Locantore.

One accident involved Public Safety Director Michael P. King and the other a public works employee.

At Monday’s township committee meeting, members voted to authorize the purchase of a new Dodge Charger for the police department to replace the one totaled in an accident.

Around 6:45 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30, King was driving his township-issued car back to his post at Cinnaminson’s emergency command center, Locantore said. It was the day after Hurricane Sandy hit.

“Another car entered Route 130 improperly and collided with our vehicle,” Locantore said.

The accident happened in Florence Township, Burlington County. The public safety director suffered injuries in the crash. King—who does not use his car for take-home use—was given permission by Locantore to take the car home during the course of Hurricane Sandy preparations and cleanup.

“He was spending so many hours traveling back and forth dealing with storm response,” Locantore said.

The insurance company of the other driver paid for the damage to the vehicle, he added.

“We are going to replace the vehicle out of the police department’s budget,” Locantore said.

Later that day, a driver who went through a traffic signal collided with a public works’ vehicle, Locantore said.

That incident occurred in Cinnaminson, around 1:54 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28. The driver was fine and the car suffered minimal damage, Locantore said.