Emergency crews rescued a driver from a vehicle in South Jersey Thursday morning after the vehicle went off the road and then caught fire.

The driver lost control of the car near Route 54 and Weymouth Road in Buena Vista Township, Atlantic County around 4:30 a.m., according to officials.

The vehicle left the roadway, headed into nearby woods and then went up in flames, authorities said.

Rescuers freed the victim from the car, but the driver's condition is unknown.

Stay with NBC10 for more on this developing story.

Didn't have a chance to catch the news? Here are yesterday's top stories.

Persons of Interest in Gay Couple Attack Interviewed by Police
Authorities in Philadelphia interviewed several persons of interest in the brutal attack of a gay couple in Center City, a day after a reality television star shared a photo depicting the alleged assailants online, causing a social media firestorm that uncovered the identities of the possible attackers.

Donations Pour In for Baby Who Died After Pregnant Mom Shot on Philly Street
Dozens of people have raised thousands of dollars for the funeral of a newborn baby as authorities continue to search for the man accused of fatally shooting the infant's pregnant mom on a Philly street Sunday morning.

It's Official: Wawa's Better Than Sheetz
There's no debate. Philadelphians love Wawa: great hoagies, great coffee, open 24/7. There's something about those late-night runs to Wawa (especially when you're in high school) that have made the convenience store chain beloved in the region.

First Case of Enterovirus in New Jersey: CDC
The New Jersey Department of Health confirms its first case of enterovirus D68 today. The state health department says the child -- who has not been identified by age, town or name -- has improved and been discharged. to catch the news? Here are yesterday's top stories.

Pregnant Suburban Band Teacher Accused of Having Sex With Teen
A pregnant band teacher in the Central Bucks County School District is accused of having sex with a teen boy.

A man went nuts -- stabbing and robbing an employee -- inside a South Philadelphia staffing agency after staff told him there was no work for him.

The suspect stabbed the woman -- identified by authorities as Caroline Basso Franklin, 53, who was working alone inside the agency she owns with her brother -- three times in the chest inside Trinity Staffing Services at 2340 S Broad Street around 9:15 a.m., according to Philadelphia Police.

Police said the attack came after the man asked Franklin for a temporary job and she told their were no jobs available.

Neighboring business owner, Frank Cinquino, the helped Franklin the across the street to Methodist Hospital where she remained in critical condition Thursday afternoon.

After the stabbing, the man took the woman's purse and ran off toward the subway -- leaving behind a kitchen knife, according to police.

The suspect possibly hopped onto a northbound Broad Street Line subway train at Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia, according to authorities. Philadelphia Police stopped the train at the Girard Avenue Exit in North Philly to search for the suspect, according to SEPTA. But, the suspect remained on the loose.

Police described the suspect as being in his 30s with a goatee, cornrows and wearing a bloody shirt.

Investigators didn't reveal the exact reasoning for the man flipping out.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 10 Philadelphia

Police say a man was found dead after a house explosion in New Jersey.

Authorities responded to a call about the explosion on Agate Road in East Brunswick around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. The man's body was found in the rubble Wednesday morning. 

Yellow caution tape blocked off the area around the property as authorities investigated. Images from the ground showed the home completely gutted.

The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately clear.

Neighbors said a 57-year-old divorcee lived alone in the home, though police have not identified the victim. Friends described the man as an arts preservationist who had thousands of videos and photos of rock and roll jazz artists who, motivated by his passion, let him into their inner circles.

Neighbors said he loved to garden.

An attorney for the persons of interest in the brutal assault of a gay couple in Center City Thursday said the victims instigated the attack when they threw the first punch.

Two men, aged 27 and 28 years old, told police they were walking near 16th and Chancellor streets around 10:45 a.m. Thursday when a member of a group of intoxicated twenty-somethings asked, "Is this your f****** boyfriend?"

After the pair responded with a "yes," the group allegedly began punching and kicking them in the head and chest.

But at least one lawyer for the persons of interest -- four of whom were questioned by police Wednesday night -- claim the victims did not disclose they struck first. The lawyer spoke to NBC10 on the condition of anonymity.

Additional video of the incident confirms the injured pair initiated the fight, according to one of of the attorneys, who declined to share the footage with NBC10.

But the victims denied the accusation, while one of their friends said she was not surprised at the alleged attackers' defense tactic.

"The District Attorney warned the boys that would be a defense strategy," said Caryn Kunkle, the victims' friend. "So they were prepared for that. So I'm not really surprised."

Kunkle added the extent of her friends' injuries also demonstrates they did not instigate the fight. One of the victims' had to have his jaw wired shut.

Several of the persons of interest, who sources tell NBC10 are alumni of Archbishop Wood High School, came forward after a social media firestorm erupted over the attack. Archbishop Wood's assistant basketball coach left his position after school officials confronted him about the images shared online.

Police have yet to file charges in the case -- it could take until Monday for formal charges -- and investigators continue to collect additional video footage of the attack and the events leading up to the assault.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 10 Philadelphia

Traffic backed up along a busy Delaware County Road Thursday afternoon after a police car crashed.

County dispatchers didn’t immediately release details of the crash along northbound Wilmington Pike (U.S. Route 202) at State Farm Drive in Concord Township, Pennsylvania around 12:30 p.m.

County dispatchers didn't know if any one was hurt.

As SkyForce10 hovered overhead a short time after the crash you could see two police cruisers along with a red work van pulled over to the side of the road as traffic slowly got by.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 10 Philadelphia

A Center City family-owned restaurant, where the possible suspects in a brutal assault dined prior to the violent altercation, is dealing with a flood of hostile reviews -- and a rumored boycott -- even though the BYOB decried the attackers' behavior publicly and cooperated with investigators.

"Boycott La Viola for not assisting the police in identifying the diners who attacked a group of gays," wrote Ginger K. of Mount Laurel, N.J. on Yelp. "Pure BS from restaurant management."

An image shared on social media showed a group of young people, dressed in similar attire as the alleged group who attacked a gay couple last Thursday, dining at La Viola Ovest.

Angry comments inundated the Yelp reviews of La Viola Ovest and its smaller sister restaurant -- both located on the 200 block of South 16th Street -- as well as its Facebook page once the eatery was identified in a photo shared on Twitter.

"I have previously enjoyed La Viola, but choosing to stand by and do nothing is just as bad as participating..." wrote Kate M. of Philadelphia in another Yelp review.

Others called for La Viola to release the credit card information of its diners even though it only accepts cash.

Philadelphia Police confirmed the restaurant's staff have cooperated with authorities and the restaurant released a statement indicating they will continue to aid in the investigation as needed.

"La Viola is committed to cooperating with authorities in any investigation," the statement reads. "We were horrified to learn any of our patrons could have been involved in such a crime. Our thoughts are with the victims and we wish the gentlemen a speedy recovery."

The restaurant also invited the gay couple, who are still recovering from their injuries, in for a meal.

We would also be honored to host the victims for dinner when they feel up to it. Hoping they will get in touch w/ us.

— La Viola (@LaViolaPhila) September 18, 2014

Seeing the backlash, others came to the restaurant's defense on social media, including @FanSince09 -- the anonymous Twitter account credited with catalyzing the investigation online. 

DON'T BE STUPID AND CALL THE RESTAURANT IF YOU ARE NOT THE POLICE

— occurredde09 (@FanSince09) September 17, 2014

The attack, which occured about two blocks away from the restaurant, remains under investigation. Authorities have interviewed at least four persons of interest in the case, but have yet to file charges against any suspects.

Police are looking for a man wanted in a series of violent purse snatchings in usually quiet New Jersey communities dating back to April.

Authorities believe the suspect has attacked women on at least five different occasions in the Freehold area, most recently on Sept. 8.

The suspect targets a woman walking or in a car alone late at night, sprays pepper spray or some sort of irritant in her face and tries to steal her purse or wallet, police say. He made off with purses in at least two of the cases.

In the attack Sept. 8, police said the suspect called out to a woman walking down an alleyway near the American Hotel on Main Street in Freehold Borough and sprayed something in her face, then tried to rob her. She managed to get away and called 911.

Three similar assaults were reported in Freehold Township, and another was reported in nearby Colts Neck.

In one of the Freehold Township cases, police say the suspect followed a woman in her car from a housing development to a neighborhood street. When she stopped her car, he approached her, told her he had a gun and stole her wallet. She told police he was driving a green minivan.

Authorities released a sketch of the suspect (above). Anyone with information about him is asked to call Freehold Borough, Freehold Township or Colts Neck police.

Danielle Elias contributed to this report. Follow Danielle Elias on Twitter @Danielle4NY

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has yet to file charges in the beating of a gay couple last Thursday that required one victim to get his jaw wired shut. The brutal assault garnered strong reaction on social media as a Twitter post helped alert authorities to potential suspects.

When the DA's office does file charges, it won't be filing hate crime charges because the state of Pennsylvania does not recognize the beating of two gay men as a hate crime.

Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia) hopes to change that.

"I'm really hopeful that we have a governor who is supportive of hate crime legislation. I think that hate crimes are not a partisan issue," Sims said. "Certain types of crimes have an intent behind them that deserve to be elevated to a certain level."

Sims says a LGBT legislation package will be introduced in the first weeks of the next legislative session, which starts in January. The LGBT legislation package will include protections for LGBT people in housing, employment, anti-bullying and hate crimes laws. Presently, Pennsylvania does not have a single statewide LGBT law or right other than gay marriage.

Pennsylvania's current hate crime law states: In order for ethnic intimidation to be charged the malicious intention toward the religion, ethnicity or race of the victim must be the motive for the commission of the underlying crime the underlying crime.

"Therefore we would not be able to charge with ethnic intimidation in this case," DA spokesperson Tasha Jamerson said.

In July 2008, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a 2002 Commonwealth Court decision to strike down protections for victims of hate crimes that target gender, sexual orientation, disability, ancestry and national origin, according to Pa. Human Relations Commission spokeswoman Shannon Powers, who works on education, advocacy and equal opportunity initiatives. 

Although the hate crime law in Pennsylvania does not cover LGBT individuals, the federal hate crime law does.

There are numerous persons of interest in the brutal assault. Some say the victims instigated the attack when they threw the first punch.

Two men, aged 27- and 28-years-old, told police they were walking near 16th and Chancellor streets around 10:45 a.m. Thursday when a member of a group of intoxicated twenty-somethings asked, "Is this your f****** boyfriend?"

After the pair responded with a "yes," the group allegedly began punching and kicking them in the head and chest.

But at least one lawyer for the persons of interest -- four of whom were questioned by police Wednesday night -- claim the victims did not disclose they struck first.

Additional video of the incident confirms the injured pair initiated the fight, according to one of of the attorneys, who declined to share the footage with NBC10.

But the victims denied the accusation, while one of their friends said she was unsurprised at the alleged attackers' defense tactic.

"The District Attorney warned the boys that would be a defense strategy," said Caryn Kunkle, the victims' friend. "So they were prepared for that. So I'm not really surprised."

Kunkle added the extent of her friends' injuries also demonstrates they did not instigate the fight. One of the victims' had to have his jaw wired shut.

Several of the persons of interest, who sources tell NBC10 are alumni of Archbishop Wood High School, came forward after a social media firestorm erupted over the attack. Archbishop Wood's assistant basketball coach left his position after school officials confronted him about the images shared online.

"Given the history of both social and legal discrimination that a person’s sexual orientation seems to me to be a very plausible inclusion in the class of people protected by hate crime laws," said Stephen Morse, criminal law professor at University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Police are questioning two people in connection with an attack so violent, that a homeless woman's ears nearly fell off, sources tell NBC10's George Spencer.

Sharleene Lightfoot, 54, was attacked sometime between 10 p.m. Monday and 1 a.m. Tuesday on or near Mount Ephraim Avenue in the area of Sheridan and Jackson streets.

“It looked like she was dragged somewhere and beaten several times,” said Camden County Police Captain Greg Carlin.

Despite her severe injuries, Lightfoot miraculously managed to walk to Virtua Hospital and check herself in. 

“If it wasn’t for the grace of God getting her to the hospital by herself, she walked there and she collapsed, she wouldn’t be with us today,” said Lightfoot’s sister Rachel Robertson.

Lightfoot’s ears were nearly severed off after the attack. She also suffered several lacerations, head trauma and a collapsed lung. She is currently intubated and in critical condition, unable to provide details on her attackers.

It's unknown at this time who police have in custody and whether those people will be charged.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. If you have any information, please call Camden County Police at 215-546-TIPS.

This story is developing. Check back for details.
 

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 10 Philadelphia

A man, accused of groping three passengers and a flight attendant during a drunken episode that caused a London-bound airplane to return to Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew.

Robert Coppack, 41, pleaded guilty in a Philadelphia courtroom Wednesday, according to court documents obtained by NBC10.com.

By pleading guilty, Coppack avoided going to trial. According to court records, federal prosecutors were prepared to call witnesses including flight attendants, passengers and air marshals.

Those witnesses would have told the court that Coppack repeatedly touched an 18-year-old college student, at least two other passengers and a flight attendant on board U.S. Airways Flight 728 that left Philadelphia International Airport on May 13.

He had alcohol in a Gatorade bottle, prosecutor Sarah Grieb said. "The student noticed alcohol on the defendant's breath."

After the flight attendants told Coppack not to touch anyone, he allegedly became aggressive, hurling vulgar language at the attendants as well as the passengers around him.

The flight attendants then repeatedly told Coppack to stand up and walk to the back of the aircraft, according to officials. As Coppack walked to the back, he allegedly touched another female passenger, who happened to be a retired flight attendant, on the arm and breast. The passenger claimed Coppack did this on purpose and that the touch was “sexual in nature.”

“He threatened Federal Air Marshals… repeatedly telling them that he was going to “kick ass” and that they should take his handcuffs off and make it an even fight,” read court documents.

Coppack said he was drunk at the time and has battled drug addiction and mental illness. Coppack said he is undergoing treatment and wears an electronic monitoring device, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Coppack could face up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in December. He also must pay fines.

According to tracking site Flight Aware, the plane was near Cape Cod, Mass., when it made a sharp turn and returned to Philadelphia.

"Flight 728 from Philadelphia to London Heathrow returned to Philadelphia because of a disruptive passenger," US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr said after the incident.

After the plane landed back in Philly around 1 a.m. on May 14, Coppack was removed from the aircraft by several law enforcement officers, a moment captured by passenger Kevin Weissman on Twitter.

"Kabob" the sheep has become a mini-celebrity in Upper Moreland, Montgomery County. 

He travels around town in the back of the Lundeen family car, is the main attraction at an annual sheep shearing event, has his own Facebook page and is a fixture at local holiday gatherings.

Chris and Cindy Lundeen are hoping to keep Kabob and their family's dream from falling apart. In 2007, they bought a historic farmhouse they call Overlook Farms. It was built in 1730 and is older than the Liberty Bell.

"One of the reasons we chose to buy a historic property was the idea that we would be able to bring the property back to its original function -- a farm," said Cindy Lundeen. "All of the animals are rescues and adopted."

Just four years ago, they started building their home life around livestock animals. In no time, the family acquired 4 sheep, two goats, 14 chickens, two guinea pigs, 13 cats and two dogs. They named each one of them. 

But, the Lundeens may lose Kabob and their livestock due to an Upper Moreland code violation they were recently made aware of.

"Kabob’s our pet. He’s our family. We would sooner move than give him up," said Chris Lundeen.

The Lundeens plan to go before the Upper Moreland zoning board with their supporters on October 23 to petition the 5-member board to approve variances so that they may able to keep their beloved farm pets and stay put. Because their land sits on one-acre, they are not in compliance with town zoning that requires two-acres for livestock.

"They are very nice people. We found out about it and had to act on it," said Paul Purtell, director of the Upper Moreland zoning officer.

"We’ve had people with chickens that wanted to keep chickens, and appeared before zoning. They received approval. This is my first sheep and goat."

The Lundeens started an online petition to bring awareness to their plight and hope the support they've received will help them make their case to the zoning board.

The Lundeen's vision a decade ago was to raise their daughter Katie on a farm with livestock.

Cindy Lundeen visited the municipal building not long after they purchased the property to inquire about livestock and was told at the time that only horses and cows needed to live on two-acres. So they put up a fence, built a barn and obtained the permits to do so. Over the last five years, they added the animals.

Overlook Farms has become a neighborhod staple and a watering hole for children to visit the animals, says Jackie Kelly, who's lived in the area for the last 22 years.

"It's the loveliest little farm. Anyone is welcome day or night to enjoy these animals. It’s so sad that someone is trying to take away something so beautiful in our area," said Kelly.

Editor's Note: Christopher Lundeen is an employee of Comcast, which is NBC10’s parent company. 

Some schools in the Pocono, Pennsylvania, area will be closed for the third consecutive day as authorities continue to search for Eric Frein, who allegedly shot and killed a Pennsylvania State Trooper before going on the run.

The Pocono Mountain School District canceled Friday classes "due to safety concerns for our students," a school spokeswoman said.

The district, which includes 10 different schools, also canceled classes Wednesday after State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan warned residents in northeast Pennsylvania to be alert and cautious as the hunt for Frein, 31, intensifies.

Thursday night, police shut down road surrounding Frein's parent's home in Canadensis, Barrett Township.

"We are following up on all tips and leads as they come to us and at this point have no new information currently to release," state police spokeswoman Trooper Morgan Crummy said.

Authorities charged Frein Tuesday with first-degree murder, homicide of a law enforcement official and other related offenses.

Frein is accused of fatally shooting Cpl. Bryon Dickson, 38, and critically wounding Trooper Alex Douglass Friday night.

The suspect is a survivalist and is considered armed and "extremely dangerous," Noonan said. "He has made statements about wanting to kill law enforcement officers and also to commit mass acts of murder."

As investigators continued to comb the dense woods in northeastern Pennsylvania Thursday, hundreds gathered in Scranton, Pa. to mourn Dickson.

The Marine Corps veteran joined the state police in 2007. He is survived by his wife of 10 years and two young sons.