Multi-vehicle crash, fire kills 2, injures 7, including 2 children in Atlantic County: officials
WEST ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A horrific multi-vehicle accident in Atlantic County killed two people and injured seven others Friday night.
The tragic crash happened on the 8000 block of Black Horse Pike around 8:15 p.m., according to officials, in West Atlantic City.
A 2017 silver Nissan Sentra was traveling west on the Black Horse Pike. It ended up in the eastbound lane and hit another sedan head-on.
The force of the impact of the head-on collision sent the second sedan, a Kia Forte, backwards into a third sedan, a 2020 red Nissan Sentra. The Kia was then sent into a marshy area along the eastbound side of the road, while the 2020 Sentra ended up on the shoulder of the westbound side.
At that point, the 2017 Nissan burst into flames.
Officials stated witnesses of the accident and passing motorists stopped and attempted to drag as many occupants from the flaming vehicle as possible.
The driver of the Kia, 21-year-old Escarlin Suriel, was killed. A passenger in the 2017 Sentra, 22-year-old Gabriella Constrantino, was also killed.
Two children – a boy and a girl – were pulled from the 2017 Sentra. The boy was rushed to AtlantiCare City Division, while the girl was airlifted to Cooper Hospital. They are both listed in critical condition.
A 25-year-old male passenger in the 2017 Sentra was transported to City Division with serious injuries.
A 27-year-old male passenger in the Kia was taken to City Division, also with serious injuries.
Two people in the 2020 Sentra were taken to City Division with minor injuries.
A 2019 Toyota Yaris sustained damage when debris hit the vehicle. No one in that car was injured.
A man who helped pull the passengers from the fiery vehicle was also transported to the hospital with unknown injuries, according to authorities.
Witness Samy Biniamin described his feelings as the car went up in flames, "I’m very sad. I’m very nervous, troubled. My mood changed immediately because, you know, life is life."
He captured the chaos after the crash on his phone and says there are always accidents on that stretch of highway in front of the Oh Saint Joseph Hotel. "Sometimes, people get confused and big accidents. Four months ago, also, people died."
Samy wants people to know police did a great job keeping everyone calm at the scene and wants to thank so many others who came out to help.. "Thank you also for all the people, for all medical and hospital. Oh my God, it’s very serious care and taking the people out and thank you!"
Officials said the highway was shutdown seven and a half hours. A full investigation into the crash is ongoing.