A Discarded Cigarette May Have Ignited a Fire along a Montgomery Walking Path, Burning an Acre of Woodland

By Barbara A. Preston | Posted Nov. 24, 2025

First responders extinguished a fire along a Montgomery Township hiking path leading to Van Horne Park on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at about 10 pm. Police Lt. Jason Larson said the fire may have been caused by a discarded cigarette. The NJ Forest Fire Service is investigating.

The path begins at Princeton Avenue, behind Kingsway Commons, and continues through the woods to other hiking paths at the park, and to the backside of the Research Park office complex on Wall Street in the Skillman section of the township.

Montgomery Police, Montgomery Fire Companies 1 and 2, Montgomery EMS, and Rocky Hill Fire Company responded and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. 

Image of the fire captured by a Montgomery Township police body camera.

Car Crash Knocks Down Route 206 Traffic Signal

Montgomery police said a 19-year-old Hamilton man was driving his Chevrolet south on Route 206 in the dark without headlights on November 20 at 4:50 pm. He struck a Toyota operated by a 68-year-old Skillman man, who was turning left onto Sunset Road from Route 206 north. The resulting collision caused the Chevrolet to impact a traffic signal, causing it to fall into the roadway.

Montgomery Police and Montgomery EMS responded. EMS evaluated both individuals, and transported the driver of the Chevrolet to Penn Medicine Plainsboro for a head injury. The driver of the Chevrolet was issued traffic summonses for failing to have headlights when required and careless driving. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

The NJ Department of Transportation responded to fix the traffic signal. The crash resulted in the closure of the intersection for several hours while repairs were made.

Somerset Man Arrested in Montgomery, Charged with DUI

Montgomery Police Officer LaRue observed a vehicle traveling north on Route 206 fail to stay within the lane of travel on November 22 at 3:01 am. He pulled over the driver, Vianey Cruz-Bravo, 32, of Somerset to investigate. Officer LaRue determined Cruz-Bravo consumed alcoholic beverages prior to driving.  Cruz-Bravo was subsequently arrested and transported to MTPD HQ, where he was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, careless driving, reckless driving, and failing to maintain lane.  Cruz-Bravo was released and is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Municipal Court.