CHATSWORTH, Burlington County, N.J., Oct. 27, 2026 — An 82-year-old Toms River man died on Monday afternoon, October 26, after the SUV he was driving left Route 563, struck a house and caught fire in the Chatsworth section of Woodland Township, according to the New Jersey State Police.
George C. Sears Jr. was driving a Subaru south around 2 p.m. when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The SUV ran off the right side of the road, hit two fences and crashed into a home. Flames then spread from the Subaru to the house before firefighters put out the fire.
Sears was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 76-year-old Susan A. Sears, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. No one inside the house was hurt, and no other injuries were reported.
Some other news outlets have reported that Sears may have suffered a medical emergency before the crash, though that detail has not been confirmed by state police. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
More on Crashes in Chatsworth, NJ
This fatal crash happened on Route 563 in Chatsworth, NJ. We cover crashes across Burlington County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Burlington County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a medical emergency behind the wheel count as a cause of a crash?
When a driver loses consciousness or suffers a sudden medical episode, it can take away the ability to steer or brake, which investigators may note as a contributing factor once it's confirmed through medical records or an autopsy.
Where do fatal single-vehicle crashes like this tend to happen?
Many occur on rural or semi-rural roads with narrow shoulders, fixed objects like trees, poles, or homes close to the roadway, and few barriers to stop a vehicle that leaves its lane.
What factors make a crash more likely to result in death?
Higher speeds, a vehicle striking a fixed object rather than another car, and fire following impact all raise the risk of a fatal outcome compared with lower-speed collisions without fire.
How does speed affect whether people survive a crash?
The faster a vehicle is moving at impact, the more energy has to be absorbed, which increases the chance of severe injury or death even when occupants are wearing seatbelts.
What to Do After a Vehicle-Into-Home Crash in Chatsworth, New Jersey
If a vehicle crashes into a house, everyone's first move should be to get a safe distance away, especially if there's any sign of fire or leaking fuel. Call 911 immediately even if injuries aren't obvious, since shock can mask pain and some conditions take time to show up.
Anyone inside the home at the time should be checked by paramedics on scene, even without visible injury. Homeowners will also need to document structural damage for insurance purposes once the property is cleared by responders. Follow-up medical care matters too: delayed symptoms like concussion signs or internal pain sometimes surface a day or two after a crash, so a prompt checkup is worth scheduling even if someone initially feels fine.
