A 9-year-old New Jersey boy was found dead inside a burning, gas-soaked car late Thursday, a short distance from his father, who suffered a self-inflicted wound but survived to face a criminal investigation, according to authorities.
Around 10:45 p.m., authorities in Sayreville received a pair of 911 calls: one reporting a domestic dispute, the other a fire near Sayreville High School, officials said.
Officers responding to the domestic dispute on Eisenhower Drive in the Borough of Sayreville were met by a woman who said that the dispute led to Manuel Rivera, 43, leaving the home with their 9-year-old son.
Meanwhile, officers responding to the reported fire on Washington Road, behind Sayreville High School, found Rivera "alive but with burns to his body and a self-inflicted wound," police said. Next to him was a burning vehicle that had been doused with gasoline.
Inside the vehicle was the body of a deceased child, police said.
Rivera was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Rivera has been charged with second-degree aggravated arson. Police said additional charges may be filed by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office pending an autopsy report from the Middlesex County Medical Examiner. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Police are asking anyone with information or surveillance video of the area to contact Detective Michael Pirigyi of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-727-4444 or Detective Jose Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at 732-745-3289.
With reporting by TMX
