Car Ignites Into Flames After Crashing Into Deer On Route 206

PEAPACK AND GLADSTONE, NJ — A car ignites into flames after crashing into a deer prompting Route 206 to close on Saturday night, said Peapack and Gladstone Police.

On June 22 at 7:54 p.m., Officer Schifano went to Route 206 near the Delta Gas Station for the report of a vehicle on fire.

Schifano found the vehicle and shut down Route 206.

Members of the Peapack & Gladstone Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire.

An investigation revealed the vehicle was driving north on Route 206 when it hit a deer. The collision caused the vehicle, a 2022 Subaru Forester, to catch fire. There were no injuries.

Other Peapack and Gladstone Police blotter items:

On May 17 at 4:22 p.m.: Officer Tamburello was conducting radar enforcement on Main St. when he observed a vehicle traveling south on Main St. at 41 MPH in the posted 25 MPH zone. Upon stopping the vehicle and identifying the occupants, Tamburello learned that the front seat passenger, Aaron Black, a 38-year-old man, from Florence, was wanted on multiple traffic warrants out of several jurisdictions. Black was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released.

On May 19 at 1:44 p.m.: Officer Tamburello was conducting radar enforcement on Route 206 when a random license plate inquiry on a passing vehicle revealed the registered owner was wanted on a $1,000 warrant out of the Andover/Byram Municipal Court. Upon identifying the driver, the vehicle was stopped. Tamburello placed the driver, Marcus T. Morris Jr, a 30-year-old man from Newton, under arrest. Morris was then takento police headquarters where he was processed on the warrant, posted bail and released.

On May 30: Det. Caruso and Ofc. Schifano responded to Branch Road for the report of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers located a pickup truck that struck a golf cart. Upon impact the occupant of the golf cart was ejected out. The patient was complaining of neck pain, scrapes and a bloody nose. Members of the Peapack – Gladstone First Aid & Rescue Squad along with the Peapack & Gladstone Fire Dept. responded to render assistance. The occupant of the golf cart was treated and taken to Morristown Hospital by members of the Peapack – Gladstone First Aid Squad.

On June 5 at 10:54 p.m.: Det. Ortiz was conducting radar enforcement on Rt. 206 when he saw a vehicle traveling south on Route 206 at a high rate of speed. Upon stopping the vehicle Ortiz identified the driver as Jose C. Monje, a 27-year-old man from Middlesex. Ortiz conducting a motor vehicle inquiry on Monje’s driver's license and learned that Monje had an active warrant in the amount of $2,500 out of the Randolph Township Municipal Court. Monje was placed under arrest and taken to police headquarters where he was processed on the warrant and released.

On June 13 at 3:29 p.m.: Det. Caruso was conducting a state-funded cell phone enforcement detail when he saw a vehicle traveling north on Route 206 whose driver was utilizing a cell phone. Upon stopping the vehicle on Route 206 North Caruso identified the driver as Kleber Ramirez-Romero, a 39-year-old man from Plainfield. Once obtaining Romero’s driver's license Caruso conducted a motor vehicle inquiry. Caruso learned that Romero had an active NCIC, no bail warrant out of Plainfield. Once confirming the warrant Romero was placed under arrest and taken to police headquarters. Romero was then taken to the Plainfield Police Dept.

On June 16 at 9:51 p.m.: Officer Tamburello observed a vehicle traveling north on Route 206 that was unable to maintain its lane of travel. Upon stopping the vehicle Tamburello identified the driver as Katherine Silva-Gallardo, a 28-year-old woman from Califon. Once obtaining Gallardo’s driver's license a motor vehicle inquiry was conducted and revealed an active warrant in the amount of $1,500 out of the Washington Township Municipal Court (Morris County). Gallardo was placed under arrest and taken to police headquarters where she was processed and released. Gallardo was also issued a summons for driving while suspended.

Between May 27 and June 14, the Peapack & Gladstone Police Dept. have taken several reports of identity theft. The Police Department would like to remind everyone:

• DO NOT give out personal information in response to unsolicited offers made in person, on the phone, or over the internet. Banks and other legitimate financial businesses will not ask for your password or personally identifying information when they call you.
• DO NOT fill out personal information on warranty cards and sweepstakes entries; it is often sold to others as a marketing tool.
• DO NOT provide your social security number unless you have to.
• If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft:
• Contact the Peapack & Gladstone Police Department and file a report and obtain a case number. Most credit and financial institutions will require that you file a police report. Police departments in New Jersey are required to take a report when you reasonably believe or suspect you are a victim of identity theft notwithstanding the fact that jurisdiction for prosecution or investigation may lie elsewhere. (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17.6)
• Immediately call the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Report the theft of your credit cards or identity to them. Request that your account be flagged and have a Fraud Alert/Victim Impact statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call before granting credit. Obtain the names and phone numbers of businesses where fraudulent accounts have been opened, if any.
• Additional information on identity theft can be found at New Jersey State Police - Identity Theft - Victim's Reference Guide (nj.gov) (https://www.nj.gov/njsp/tech/identity.html)

Over this weekend, June 21 through June 23 the members of the Peapack & Gladstone Police Dept. were assisted by the all-volunteer Peapack – Gladstone First Aid Squad and the Peapack & Gladstone Fire Dept. with response to 6 first aid calls, 1 motor vehicle fire, 1 fire alarm activation, and 1 tree/wire fire. The Police Dept, First Aid Squad and Fire Dept. work in collaboration to assist each other and maintain an excellent working relationship to preserve the safety of all residents and individuals who visit our Borough.

From June 1 through June 21 the Peapack & Gladstone Police Dept. participated in the NJ State-funded distracted driver campaign. During this period the Police Department conducted 42 hours of enforcement, stopped 84 vehicles and issued 53 cell phone violations.

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