AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE TWO DOUBLE FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES IN SOMERSET COUNTY

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., Manville Borough Police Officer-In-Charge Lieutenant Craig Jeremiah, and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather announced an on-going investigation into two separate double fatal motor vehicle crashes that occurred in Manville and Franklin Township (Somerset County), New Jersey.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Friday, August 25, 2023, at approximately 1:27 p.m. Manville Police responded to the scene of a three-car motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Main Street and Dukes Parkway East, Manville, New Jersey. Responding Officers along with Emergency Medical personnel upon arrival to the scene-initiated life saving measures on the occupants of the vehicles. 

A 75-year-old female Manville resident who was operating a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was transported via ambulance to an area hospital where she was subsequently pronounced deceased. A 52-year-old male, East Newark, N.J., who was operating a 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 was airlifted to an area trauma center where he was subsequently pronounced deceased. The driver of the third vehicle in the crash, a 74-year-old Manville resident operating a 2006 Honda Pilot was transported to an area hospital via ambulance with minor injuries and is expected to recover.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that the investigation has revealed that the driver of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was operating her vehicle northbound on Main Street in the right lane when she disregarded the red traffic signal and struck the operator of the 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 as he operated his vehicle eastbound from Dukes Parkway into the shopping center on the northbound side of the road. Following the initial impact between the Chevrolet and the Mercedes, the Mercedes Benz then struck the operator of the 2006 Honda Pilot who was operating his vehicle westbound out of the shopping center as he intended to turn left to travel south on Main Street.Prosecutor McDonald stated that patrol officers, traffic safety officers, and detectives from the Manville Borough Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team responded to conduct the investigation. The circumstances and events leading to the fatal motor vehicle crash remain under investigation by authorities and the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at approximately 6:22 a.m. Franklin Township Police responded to the scene of a single car motor vehicle crash on Somerset Street (Route 27) near Voorhees Avenue, Somerset, New Jersey. Responding Officers along with Emergency Medical personnel upon arrival to the scene-initiated life saving measures on the occupants of the vehicle. A 29-year-old male Somerset resident who was operating a 2007 Audi Q7 was transported to an area trauma center via ambulance with undisclosed injuries sustained from the crash and is expected to recover. The vehicle was occupied by three passengers. • Passenger #1 - front seat passenger, identified as a 29-year-old male, Highland Park resident, sustained minor injuries, and refused medical attention at the scene.• Passenger #2 – right rear seated passenger, identified as a 24-year-old male, Somerset resident, was ejected from the vehicle at the time of the crash suffering fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.• Passenger #3 – left rear seated passenger, identified as a 20-year-old male, North Brunswick resident, was trapped in the vehicle following the crash and required extrication. As a result of the crash, he suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.Prosecutor McDonald stated that the investigation has revealed that the operator of the 2007 Audi Q7 was southbound on Somerset Street when the vehicle left the roadway striking several trees, lamp posts and a utility pole upon coming to rest. Franklin Township Patrol Officers, Traffic Safety Officers, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART), and the Major Crimes Unit responded to conduct the investigation. The circumstances and events leading to the fatal motor vehicle crash remain under investigation by authorities and the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. Prosecutor McDonald reminds the public that as we head into the Labor Day weekend to remain vigilant and cautious on all New Jersey roadways. We want our community members to understand that it is our priority to keep people safe.Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, Lieutenant Jeremiah, and Director Maeweather request anyone with information relating to the fatal crashes to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office at (908) 231-7100, the Manville Borough Police Department at (908) 722-0089, or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.NOTE: The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.