Violent, Fatal Car Crash Closes Route 21 In New Jersey

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A fatal car crash shut down traffic on Route 21 in Essex County in both directions on Saturday. Authorities said that the driver, Marcelo Pataki, 34, of Harrison, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.

The fatal crash took place around 4:31 p.m. and temporarily closed traffic in both directions near Mill Street due to a police investigation. Emergency responders transported a second occupant of the vehicle to University Hospital in Newark in stable condition, the Newark Department of Public Safety stated.

Extremely graphic YouTube footage of the crash showed several people wandering a fiery, debris-strewn highway after the violent, rollover collision, which took place on the southbound half of the highway near exit 5.

There were reports of people trying to help at the scene, the video states.

"Speed has been determined to be a contributing factor in the crash in this ongoing investigation," police stated.

Newark authorities ask anyone with information about this incident to call the department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Anonymous tips may also be made using the police division’s website at: www.newarkpd.org or through its smartphone app at iTunes or Google Play.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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