Crime & Safety
Driver Killed After Truck Burst Into Flames on Ridge Road
Sparta Fire Department assisted as 74-year-old Newtown man died from injuries sustained in crash.
A 74-year-old man died after his truck burst into flames on Ridge Road Friday night when it struck a tree, Jefferson Township police said.
Richard Plog, of Newton, died Saturday at Morristown Medical Center where he was flown by helicopter after Friday's crash, Capt. Eric Wilsusen said.
Police responded to Ridge Road, near Glen Road, around 5:30 Friday after receiving a report of a one-car crash, Wilsusen said. When Ptl. Rich Riena and Sgt. John Kessler arrived, they found that Plog was driving a 2007 GMC pickup truck when he suddenly lost control of the vehicle. Wilsusen said it is not known what caused him to lose control.
The truck struck a tree and burst into flames, Wilsusen said. Plog was trapped inside.
Police officers used fire extinguishers to control the fire until Jefferson Township Fire Co. 1 and the Sparta Fire Department arrived to extricate Plog from the vehicle and extinguish the fire, Wilsusen said.
Plog was transported to the hospital via medevac helicopter where he died the next day.
The Morris County Sheriff’ Department’s Crime Scene Unit assisted in the investigation, which is still underway by Ptl. Rodger Davis.
Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
