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Somerset County teen charged in crash that killed passenger

BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – A 17-year-old boy from Branchburg Township was charged in relation to a fatal motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death of his 17-year-old passenger last year in Branchburg Township, according to Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella.

On Friday, October 8, 2021, at around 8:21 p.m., police responded to a single motor vehicle crash on Fairview Drive, Chirichella said.

Responding officers along with emergency medical personnel upon arrival to the crash scene initiated life saving measures on the 17-year-old Branchburg Township boy who was ejected from the car. He was flown to an area trauma center where he was pronounced dead, Chirichella said.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Toyota Scion was being operated westbound on Fairview Drive and prior to the motor vehicle crash, it struck several roadside objects across several hundred feet of roadway, Chirichella said.

The vehicle contained three occupants at the time of the crash. The driver and rear seat passenger were treated at the scene and refused further medical treatment, Chirichella said.

On February 16, the 17-year-old driver was arrested at the Branchburg Police Department and charged with second-degree death by auto. The juvenile lodged in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center pending a court appearance in Somerset County Family Court, Chirichella said.

Anyone with information relating to that fatal motor vehicle crash to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office at 908-231-7100 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.

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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