Teen Charged With Death By Auto Of 17-Year-Old Branchburg Boy

BRANCHBURG, NJ — A 17-year-old Branchburg boy was arrested in connection with a car crash that killed another township teenager, said Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella.

On Wednesday, Feb. 16, the 17-year-old driver was arrested at the Branchburg Police Department and charged with second-degree death by auto.

On Oct.8, 2021, police say the arrested teenager was driving a 2006 Toyota Scion westbound on Fairview Drive before hitting several roadside objects including a telephone pole across several hundred feet of roadway, said Chirichella. Read More: Police Investigate Fatal Crash Of 17-Year-Old Branchburg Boy

The Scion had three people inside at the time of the crash. The driver and rear-seat passenger were evaluated and treated at the scene, and refused further medical treatment, said Chirichella.

Another teen identified as Somerville High School student Vincent R. Gagliardi, who was a front-seat passenger on the Scion was also found at around 8:21 p.m.

Officers along with Emergency Medical personnel began life-saving measures on Gagliardi, who was ejected from the car. He was medevac to an area trauma center where he was pronounced dead.

A fundraiser was later started for Gagliardi's family. Read More: Fundraiser For Branchburg Teen Killed In Car Crash Started

Detectives from the Branchburg Township Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team, and the Major Crimes Unit responded to conduct the investigation.

The arrested teen was later lodged in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center pending a court appearance in Somerset County Family Court.

Anyone with information relating to that fatal motor vehicle crash is asked 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.

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.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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