At a Glance
- Thomas Hengel, 72, and wife Lisa, 61, died after their SUV crashed into a neighbor’s house and burst into flames on January 17
- The couple’s Hyundai Palisade accelerated into the Harrison Township, N.J., home shortly after 6 p.m.; no one inside the residence was hurt
- Thomas coached cross-country and track at Clearview Regional High School for over 40 years; Lisa designed South Jersey landscapes for three decades
- Why it matters: The tight-knit community has lost two beloved figures whose kindness and service shaped generations of students and neighbors
A retired high-school coach and his wife were killed when their SUV slammed into the house next door and erupted in flames, leaving neighbors stunned and a school district mourning two of its most devoted role models.
The Crash
Harrison Township Police say the Hengels’ Hyundai Palisade accelerated for unknown reasons and struck the corner of their neighbor’s home shortly after 6 p.m. on January 17. The impact ruptured fuel lines, sparking a fast-moving fire that destroyed the vehicle and left the house uninhabitable.
Key details:
- No injuries to anyone inside the residence
- Fire reached the roof within minutes
- Police and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office continue to investigate
- Sgt. Kurt Pugfelder told media “we don’t believe it’s anything other than a tragic accident”
Neighbor Gary DeVine recalled seeing “flames up by the roof.” He and his wife sprinted outside to find the SUV “half in there,” while neighbor Mike Misuraco described the Hengels as “amazing neighbors” who “loved each other.”
A Legacy on the Track and in the Garden
Thomas Hengel graduated from Clearview Regional High School in 1972 and returned in 1981 as a teacher and coach. Over the next four decades he:
- Taught for 33 years
- Led the cross-country and track programs to multiple Gloucester County and Tri-County Conference titles
- Earned 2014 South Jersey Coach of the Year honors
- Entered the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018
Lisa Hengel spent 30 years designing residential and commercial landscapes across South Jersey. Friends say she brought the same meticulous care to her gardens that Thomas brought to his training schedules.
Community Reacts
Clearview Regional administrators lowered flags to half-staff on January 19 and issued a statement praising the couple for “living their lives within our community, always displaying kindness and humility.”
Former athletes echoed the sentiment. State champion Cassandra Kulik called Thomas “like a father figure,” noting her team once pooled money for a gift card so he could take Lisa out, recognizing the long hours both devoted to students.
Retired athletic director Michael Vicente, mentored by Thomas in the early 1990s, called him “the most efficient, hard-working, knowledgeable and prepared coach I have ever come across,” adding that the Hengels’ absence “will be deeply felt for years.”
Superintendent John Horchak III vowed to “honor their memory by carrying forward the values they modeled so faithfully: dedication, respect, compassion, and service to others.”
Investigation Under Way
Authorities have not cited speed, mechanical failure, or medical emergency as factors. Crash-scene analysts are reviewing:
- Vehicle data recorder
- Surveillance footage from nearby homes
- Witness statements
- Roadway conditions at the time
The neighbor’s home remains cordoned off while engineers assess structural damage.
Key Takeaways
- A single-vehicle crash into a residence turned fatal when fire erupted, killing two respected community members
- Thomas Hengel’s four-decade coaching tenure produced championship teams and generations of inspired students
- Lisa Hengel’s landscape designs beautified hundreds of South Jersey properties
- Investigators have found no evidence of foul play, but the exact cause remains undetermined
