ROCKAWAY — A fatal fiery two-car crash closed down Route 80 west in Rockaway Township early Tuesday afternoon and a former police officer and Emergency Medical Technician was credited with rescuing the driver and passenger of one of the cars before it burst into flames.
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Michael O’Brien, 49, an accountant from Jersey City, was adjusting his bicycle on his vehicle on the shoulder of Route 80 west near mile marker 33.6 when a vehicle driven by Barbara Potts, 72, of Newark, entered the shoulder, fatally striking O’Brien, State Police spokesman
O’Brien’s girlfriend Maya Vartiainen, a passenger in the truck, but at the time of the accident was standing outside the vehicle while O’Brien was adjusting the bicycle.
State Police said the second vehicle, a 2009 Buick Enclave, was being operated by Potts. There were two other passengers in her vehicle, a male in the front seat, and Mary Briggs in the back seat. Potts and a front-seat passenger had minor injuries and Briggs suffered serious injuries and was transported to Morristown Medical Center. A dog also was in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
State Police said he crash is still under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time.
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