Car Hits Pole On Poole Avenue and Flips
The driver of the vehicle said he was trying to avoid a dog on the loose.
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A Hazlet man driving a Jeep Laredo on Poole Avenue said he swerved to avoid hitting a dog and instead smashed into a utility pole near Daniel Drive Tuesday morning, and flipped over. A front end wheel was separated from the care and came to a rest on the grass.
Thomas O'Donnell, 72, of Hazlet was traveling north on Poole Ave., from Route 35 to Route 36, when the accident happened. Ptl. Michael Duncan responded the emergency call at 8:23 a.m.
O'Donnell was wearing a seatbelt and was helped out of the vehicle by a passerby, said Lt. Al Lynch. The airbags deployed in his 2007 Jeep.
He was taken to Bayshore Community Hospital by Hazlet First Aid for complaints of general pain, according to Lynch. Hazlet Fire. Company #1 also responded.
Utility companies were on the scene to check out reports of live wires down from the Verizon-owned pole.
JosephGhabourLaw
9:55 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Our best wishes go out to the injured driver and their family. Clearly our busy roads pose a hazard for all drivers. Please keep your pets safely secured, as there should be a very grateful dog owner in our community.
Nicole Magnotti
2:26 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
This is a terrible tragedy for this man and his family. I constantly tell everyone to not swerve out of the way for animals that get in your path because an accident like this is typically the result.....however, it usually happens when a deer crosses into your path and not a dog.
My advice is to apply the brakes hard but do not swerve into another lane or into the woods....it is not worth it.
I wish this man a speedy recovery.
JosephGhabourLaw
4:35 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sadly, yes, swerving is the worst tactic to avoid and animal in the road.
For example, each year deer kill 200 Americans. In New Jersey, such accidents are becoming more common every year. Sadly, to avoid serious injury, don't swerve. Slow down as quickly as possible, without slamming the brakes and skidding. When you swerve, you increase the chances of losing control of your car, injuring yourself, hitting another car, a pole, or hitting that deer or dog in the road.