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Police: Man Dies After Car Goes Up In Flames From Hitting Downed Wire

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. (AP) -- Authorities say a man died in New Jersey after he drove his car around some traffic cones meant to warn motorists to stay away from a downed live wire.

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Police in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, say it appears the vehicle hit the wire, which sparked a fire that engulfed the car at about 9 a.m. Thursday.

The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Anthony Gonzalez.

He is survived by a wife and three children. A GoFundMe page to support the family has already reached $8,000.

The area received about 2 feet of snow during this week's storm.

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A police spokesman says the department doesn't have the personnel to post an officer at every hazard, and in the case of a downed wire it blocks off the area and alerts the power company.

(Copyright 2018 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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