SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – Authorities are investigating two separate double fatal motor vehicle crashes that occurred in Manville Borough and Franklin Township over the weekend, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
The first crash happened on Friday, Aug. 25, at around 1:27 p.m., at the intersection of Main Street and Dukes Parkway East in Manville Borough, McDonald said.
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 from Manville, who was operating a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, was transported via ambulance to an area hospital where she was subsequently pronounced dead, McDonald said.
A 52-year-old male from Newark, who was operating a 2018 Mercedes Benz C300, was airlifted to an area trauma center where he was subsequently pronounced dead, McDonald said.
The driver of the third vehicle in the crash, a 74-year-old Manville resident, who was operating a 2006 Honda Pilot, was transported to an area hospital by ambulance with minor injuries and is expected to recover, McDonald said.
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, McDonald said.
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, McDonald said.
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, McDonald said.
The second crash happened on Sunday, Aug. 27, at around 6:22 a.m., on Somerset Street (Route 27) near Voorhees Avenue, in the Somerset section of Franklin Township, McDonald said.
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 man from Somerset, who was operating a 2007 Audi Q7, was transported to an area trauma center by ambulance with undisclosed injuries sustained from the crash and is expected to recover, McDonald said.
The vehicle was occupied by three passengers:
- Passenger #1 – front seat passenger, identified as a 29-year-old male, Highland Park resident, suffered 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 suffered fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead 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 dead at the scene.
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, McDonald said.
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.
“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,” McDonald said.
