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Good Samaritan rescues Edison crash victim just before car bursts into flames

The crash happened on Tuesday morning on Route 27 in Edison.

Toniann Antonelli

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Matt Trapani

and

Tony Caputo

Jun 3, 2025, 7:26 AM

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A passerby is being lauded as a hero for pulling a 76-year-old man from a car crash wreck before the vehicle burst into flames.

The crash happened on Tuesday morning on Route 27 in Edison.

Charles Parry, of Piscataway, was waiting in line to get gas just before 6 a.m. when he saw a vehicle lose control, accelerate, drive over curbs and hit a large sign outside the Costco and Pet Smart.

"I did what I would think anyone would do," said Parry, whose wife, Ruth, contacted News 12 shortly after the rescue.

Parry told News 12 that as soon as he saw that flames were erupting from the car, he worked faster. Parry said he had difficulty getting the seatbelt off the victim but was eventually able to free the driver and pull him out.

Edison police tell News 12 that the victim is a Woodbridge resident who suffered a medical episode. He was treated and released from the hospital and is doing well.

Parry says he inhaled some smoke during the rescue but was overall uninjured.

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