HARRISON TWP., N.J. — A community in Gloucester County is mourning the loss of a beloved coach and his wife.
The couple were killed after a car crash around 6 p.m. Saturday night in Harrison Township.
Police say 72-year-old Thomas Hengel and 61-year-old Lisa Hengel were killed when their Hyundai SUV suddenly accelerated right into the home of their neighbor.
The crash caused a fire that quickly engulfed the vehicle and the majority of the home.
No one inside the home was injured, but the house has been deemed uninhabitable.
“It’s just unfortunate what happened,” said neighbor Mike Misuraco. “It’s just horrible for us, my kids, and my wife, to look across the street and see two empty homes right now.”
Tributes have been pouring in online, including from the cross-country and track teams at Clearview High School, where Thomas Hengel was a coach.
Hengel taught and coached at his alma mater for over 40 years, earning many accolades, including Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2022.
Former athlete Andrea Eppehimer posted, “He wanted us to win races, but more than that, he wanted us to win at being good people.”
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