RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — A lawsuit filed on May 6 in Passaic County Superior Court alleges negligence and wrongful death in connection with a fatal April 2025 crash in Randolph Township that killed four people, including a child riding in a transport vehicle.
The complaint was filed by Francisco Cristino Reyes Flores and Mariana Granados Oviedo of Hackettstown, administrators of the estate of Yexsel Francisco Reyes Granados, a minor, along with Kristen Elder of Mount Arlington, parent and guardian of a surviving minor passenger identified in court filings as H.W.
According to the lawsuit, the crash occurred April 10, 2025, at the intersection of Route 10 and Millbrook Avenue in Randolph Township. Court filings allege Diane Goetz of Randolph, driving a 2015 Mercedes-Benz SUV northbound on Millbrook Avenue, entered the intersection at a high rate of speed, failed to stop at a red light and collided with another vehicle before crossing into westbound Route 10 traffic and striking a transport vehicle operated for Alyft Transport LLC.
The lawsuit alleges the transport vehicle, a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, rolled over after the collision.
Court documents state plaintiffs allege Goetz was traveling approximately 96 mph before the crash and did not apply the vehicle’s brakes prior to impact.
The complaint further alleges Alyft Transport LLC failed to properly install and secure an Evenflo child safety seat in which Yexsel Francisco Reyes Granados was seated. Plaintiffs allege the child was “unrestrained and/or improperly restrained” at the time of the collision.
The lawsuit claims the alleged failure to properly secure the child seat contributed to the fatal injuries sustained by the child.
According to the filing, Yexsel Francisco Reyes Granados, 4, of Hackettstown, died April 11, 2025, from injuries sustained in the crash. The lawsuit also states the surviving minor plaintiff allegedly suffered injuries including a fractured clavicle, concussion, seizures and abrasions.
Court filings state Bertha Castaneda, 67, of Dover, Maria Z. Figueroa, 58, of Wharton Borough, and Diane Goetz, 71, of Randolph Township, also died as a result of the crash.
The lawsuit stems from a crash that prosecutors previously determined was non-criminal in nature following an investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Randolph Police Department. Authorities previously said investigators believed Goetz may have suffered a medical episode before losing control of her vehicle.
The complaint seeks damages for negligence, wrongful death, survival claims and punitive damages against the estate of Diane Goetz, Alyft Transport LLC and unnamed defendants.
