BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — A 91-year-old Somerset County man died Sunday after a collision on Route 22 East near Grove Street in Bridgewater Township, authorities said.
Police responded to the scene at approximately 4:06 p.m. and found a disabled 2018 Subaru Outback on the left shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was occupied by a 33-year-old Brooklyn, New York, man and two passengers, none of whom were injured.
Officers also located a 2002 Buick LeSabre about a quarter-mile east of the initial scene after it left the roadway and came to rest in the center median.
The Buick’s driver, a 91-year-old Bridgewater resident, was found unresponsive inside the vehicle. Officers immediately began CPR and continued lifesaving efforts until paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital arrived. The man was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he was later pronounced dead.
A 93-year-old female passenger in the Buick sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
According to a preliminary investigation, a white Tesla traveling eastbound on Route 22 near Grove Street suddenly came to a complete stop in the center lane. A Subaru traveling behind the Tesla was forced to stop. The Buick, traveling behind the Subaru, was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of the Subaru.
Police said the impact caused the Subaru to spin out and come to rest in the left lane. The Buick then lost control, traveled into the right lane, crossed the highway, left the roadway and entered the center median, where it struck a tree before coming to rest.
Route 22 East was closed for several hours while authorities investigated the incident.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bridgewater Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer R. Veneman of the Bridgewater Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit at (908) 722-4111, ext. 4083, or the Bridgewater TIPS line at 877-660-INFO (4636).
