Man dies after driving around barricade and onto live wires in Franklin Lakes

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Friday, March 9, 2018
Man dies after driving around barricade and onto live wires
The vehicle erupted in flames on Summit Avenue and Route 208 in Franklin Lakes. (Photo of victim courtesy youcaring.com)

FRANKLIN LAKES, New Jersey (WABC) -- A man died after authorities say he drove his car around a barricade and onto live wires in New Jersey Thursday morning.

The vehicle erupted in flames on Summit Avenue and Route 208 in Franklin Lakes just before 9 a.m.

Responding officers arrived finding a vehicle fully engulfed, with a live power line lying in the roadway near the vehicle.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friends identified him as 40-year-old Anthony Gonzalez of Wanaque, New Jersey. They say he leaves behind a wife and three children.

The fire totally gutted the vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing.

Downed power lines remain a major problem in the wake of the region's second nor'easter in a week.

Utilities were working overtime to deal with downed trees and electric lines that snarled traffic and left hundreds of thousands without power.

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