Man charged with vehicular homicide in connection with fatal crash in Somerset County
NORTH PLAINFIELD BOROUGH, NJ (Somerset County) – A Union County man has been charged with vehicular homicide following a motor vehicle accident earlier this month in North Plainfield, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
The crash occurred on Tuesday, March 4, at approximately 1:16 p.m. at the intersection of Greenbrook Road and Duer Street, McDonald said.
Upon arrival, officers observed a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the middle of Greenbrook Road and a 2014 Ford F150 pickup truck on the front lawn of a residence on Duer Street, McDonald said.
The driver of the F150 sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment. The driver of the Jeep Cherokee, identified as Kavon Powell-Coleman, 35, of Plainfield, also sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene. The front and rear passengers of the Ford F150 were transported to an area hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the F150 told officers he was driving west on Greenbrook Road with his two passengers when he was struck at the intersection, McDonald said.
On March 7, the North Plainfield Police Department was notified that the rear passenger of the Ford F150, Victor Manuel Amaya Ramos, 68, of Bridgewater Township, had died from injuries sustained in the crash, McDonald said.
As a result of the investigation, detectives reviewed surveillance footage and determined that the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, Kavon Powell-Coleman, was allegedly traveling down Duer Street toward Greenbrook Road at a high rate of speed. The posted speed limit on Duer Street is 25 mph. Moments later, a loud bang consistent with a crash is heard. Duer Street has a posted stop sign at the intersection, while Greenbrook Road does not, McDonald said.
Kavon Powell-Coleman was arrested on March 13 in Somerville and charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and fourth-degree assault by auto. He was also issued several motor vehicle summonses by the North Plainfield Police Department at the time of the accident. Powell-Coleman was subsequently lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a hearing, McDonald said.
Anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at (908) 769-2900 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.
