Investigation Continues Into Fatal Wrong-Way Crash On Route 1&9

ELIZABETH, NJ — Authorities are continuing to investigate a fatal wrong-way head-on crash that happened over the weekend in Elizabeth.

Just before 7:25 a.m. on Saturday, a 2020 Chevy Silverado and a 2005 2-door Honda Civic hit head-on on Route 1&9 on the northbound side.

Punkaj Shama, 29, of South Plainfield, who was the driver of the Civic, died in the crash. The driver of the Silverado suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment, Elizabeth spokeswoman Kelly Martins said.

The driver of the Silverado said Waze "advised him to stay left on the fork of the road at the McClellan Street bridge, which put him on the wrong side of highway," according Martins.

There have been no charges or arrests as of Tuesday, but the Port Authority issued three citations for reckless driving, driving wrong way and driving while suspended, Martins said.

Drugs and alcohol did not seem to be a factor but authorities are waiting on blood results, Martins said.

The Waze app was also blamed on Jan. 20 after it sent a number of people into the middle of the woods, 45 miles away from their actual destination.

The people had been trying to get to the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City but instead got stuck in the Colliers Mills Wildlife area, Jackson police said. (See Related: Borgata Ad In Waze App Sending Drivers Into Ocean County Woods)

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