From the Atlantic City Press Published: Sunday, April 13, 2008

A 47-year-old Vineland man was killed Friday evening when he and three other motorcyclists rear-ended a car on Landis Avenue in Buena Vista Township, State Police said.

Torrey Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Fellow riders Michael Woolston, 45, of Millville, Steven Brizak, 27, of Vineland, and Dennis Arendarezyk, 42, of Millville, were taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus in Galloway Township, with unspecified injuries, Sgt. Stephen Jones said.

The driver of the car, Willie Collier Jr., 34, of Bridgeton, was also transported to AtlantiCare. He was released early Saturday morning, police said.

It was unclear what caused the crash near the intersection of Landis and Cimino Boulevard. All four were thrown from their bikes, police said.

Blood was taken from all five men to determine whether alcohol played a role in the crash, Jones said.

From the Atlantic City Press Published: Thursday, April 10, 2008

A garage containing a car and propane bottles caught fire Wednesday afternoon, shutting down Jimmie Leeds Road for three hours while about 25 firefighters from several fire companies battled the flames, the fire chief said.

A 911 call was received at about 1:30 p.m. for a fire in the 200 block of Jimmie Leeds Road, and the first units arrived to see the detached garage fully engulfed in flames, Chief Rodney Calimer said. Firefighters had to deal with propane bottles in the garage as well as a car.

The garage was heavily damaged and was demolished for safety reasons, Calimer said. The home was not harmed.

Firefighters from the Bayview, Oceanville, Pomona and South Egg Harbor companies responded to the scene, while the Germania Fire Company and the Absecon Fire Department covered their stations, Calimer said.

The Galloway Emergency Medical Service also responded, but there were no injuries, Calimer said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Calimer said.

From the Atlantic City Press Published: Wednesday, April 02, 2008

A family of three must find new housing arrangements after a two-alarm fire seriously damaged their home on Main Street on (April 1st) Tuesday evening, fire officials said.

Fire crews were called to the 2-story house in the 1200 block of Main Street at 5:58 p.m. and arrived to see heavy flames coming from the rear of the first floor and smoke showing from the rest of the house, said firefighter Doug Hallquist.

One man was home at the time and jumped from a third-story window to escape the flames, Hallquist said. The man, whose name was not released, was taken to South Jersey Regional Medical Center in Vineland for treatment of unknown injuries. No one else was hurt.

The second alarm was called at 6:15 p.m. and the Vineland Fire Department responded, officials said.

The rear of the house suffered significant damage and the rest of the house suffered smoke damage, Hallquist said. The American Red Cross was on the scene to help the three residents find a place to stay.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 7:13 p.m., Hallquist said.

Compiled by staff writers Michelle Lee, Elaine Rose and Steven Lemongello

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From the Atlantic City Press Published: Friday, March 28, 2008

By LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer, 609-272-7257

ATLANTIC CITY - Victor Francesco was surprised by the call 10 years ago.
His middle son, Michael, said he was going to take the test to become a firefighter, just like his father.

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From the Atlantic City Press Published: Thursday, March 27, 2008

By LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer, 609-272-7257 Published: Thursday, March 27, 2008

PLEASANTVILLE - Five people - including three pedestrians - were injured Wednesday afternoon when a tow-truck driver.

A car was stopped for the cargo train, which had slowed as it approached Route 9 coming through the Atlantic City Cemetery at 2:40 p.m., Pleasantville Police Officer Herbert Simons said. But Frank Guenther, 22, went around the car and tried to make it over the tracks before the train got there, police said. He didn't quite make it across.

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From the Atlantic City Press Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer, 609-272-7215

VENTNOR - A local woman suffered serious injuries Tuesday morning when she was pinned between a car and a truck on Atlantic Avenue, police said.
Sumi Bharoocha, 39, was walking between two vehicles in the 7200 block of Ventnor Avenue at 11:36 a.m. when a car driven by Neil Lansman, 62, of Rydal, Pa., lurched forward and slammed her into a delivery truck parked in front of him, said Lt. Michael Miller.