HARDING TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — A 54-year-old Orange man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash on Interstate 287 that killed a tow truck operator assisting a disabled vehicle, authorities said.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Harding Township Police Chief Michael R. Gromek announced charges stemming from the July 2, 2025, crash on Route 287 South in Harding Township.
According to investigators, New Jersey State Police responded that afternoon to a crash near mile marker 31.4 on the southbound shoulder of the highway. Authorities said a tow truck had stopped to assist a disabled vehicle when it and its operator were struck by a 2019 Jeep Cherokee.
Investigators said the Jeep rolled over and came to rest on its roof after the collision. The tow truck operator and the Jeep driver were both transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The tow truck operator, Daniel “DJ” Ortiz, 24, of Hopatcong, later died from his injuries. Ortiz was employed by Ron and Sons Towing.
Authorities said the investigation determined the Jeep Cherokee struck Ortiz while he was on the shoulder of the roadway.
The driver of the Jeep, Pierre Innocent of Orange, has been charged with second-degree reckless vehicular homicide.
Prosecutors cited Eileen’s Law, enacted in 2018, which allows failure to maintain a lane of travel to support an inference of reckless driving in vehicular homicide cases.
Innocent was released under Level Two pretrial supervision. Conditions of his release include surrendering his passport, signing a waiver of extradition, refraining from operating a motor vehicle during pretrial release and having no contact with the victim’s next of kin.
The investigation was conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Investigation Unit.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family, friends and co-workers,” Carroll said in a statement. “We remind the public that slowing down and moving over when approaching emergency vehicles on the roadway can save lives.”
