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Investigation ongoing in fiery West Atlantic City crash that killed two

  • Breaking

An investigation continues into a fiery crash that killed two women and injured seven Egg Harbor Township on Friday.

The horrific crash in the township's West Atlantic City section involved three cars, with a fourth car struck by debris, Capt. Cherie Burgan said. No one in the fourth vehicle was injured.

One of the women killed also lost her unborn daughter.

Police credited witnesses and passing motorists who "quickly and selflessly acted" in dragging out the occupants of the car that caught fire before it was fully engulfed in flames. One of those bystanders was among the injured.

The following was updated Tuesday to include additional names, ages and hometowns.

A silver Nissan Sentra was traveling west at about 8:18 p.m. when it went into the oncoming lane and struck a 2018 Kia Forte head on, Burgan said.

The force pushed the Kia backward, where it struck an eastbound red Nissan Sentra.

The silver car started to catch fire in an eastbound lane facing west.

Gabriella Constantino, 22, of Pleasantville, has now been identified as the driver of that vehicle. She died at the scene. Her last name was originally released as Constrantino, but has been updated in the latest police release.

Several bystanders and passing motorists came to their aid and were able to get the passengers out before the car became fully engulfed in flames.

Christopher Wilson, 46, of Vineland, was injured assisting with rescues.His injuries were described as moderate.

Kenneth Jones, 25, of Pleasantville, was unrestrained in the car that caught fire. He was taken to AtlantiCare in Atlantic City, and then transported to Cooper Health System over the weekend with serious injuries, police said Tuesday.

There were also two teens in the vehicle.

A 17-year old boy from Mays Landing was taken to AtlantiCare. A 15-year-old girl from Egg Harbor Township was flown to Cooper.

A couple visiting from Hong Kong was in the red car, which came to rest near the Oh St. Joseph Resort Hotel.

The driver, 60-year-old Siu Chung Mok, and his passenger, 53-year-old Siu Fong Margaret Lor, were taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City Campus with minor injuries.

The Kia came to rest in the marsh.

Escarlin Suriel, 21, of Atlantic City, who was driving, died in the crash. She was eight months pregnant with her second daughter.

Her husband, 27-year-old Francisco Nin, was taken to AtlantiCare's City Campus with serious injuries.

    

Cyniyah Carpenter Hargros, 22, of Pleasantville, was in a Toyota Yaris, which was struck by debris. She was not injured.

Video taken at the scene and posted on Facebook seemed to show at least one person lying in the road, and the three vehicles where they came to rest.

BreakingAC has not sharing any video or full shots of the full area out of respect for those involved.

Several agencies assisted at the crash, including the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, EMS from Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic City and AtlantiCare Medics, along with the West Atlantic City and Bargaintown fire companies, police from Atlantic City and Pleasantville, A-1Towing and the NJDOT Traffic Incident Response Team. 

The crash is being investigated by Sgt. Ed Stearns, and Officers Robert Moran, Nick Poletis, Officer Nathan Lahr and Kevin Brady.

   A GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral costs for Escarlin Suriel and her unborn daughter, Viviana.   




author

Lynda Cohen

BreakingAC founder who previously worked in newspapers for more than two decades. She is an NJPA award-winner and was a Stories of Atlantic City fellow.