Edison Cop Charged In Drunken Crash That Killed 2: Prosecutor

EDISON, NJ — An Edison Police officer has been charged with two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide and other offenses in a drunken car crash where two of his passengers died, Somerset County Prosecutor said Wednesday.

Amitoj Oberoi, 29, a Somerset resident, is accused of being drunk during the crash on Somerset Street (Route 27) that killed two people on Sunday, Aug. 27.

Oberoi is employed as an Edison Police Officer and was off-duty at the time of the crash, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather.

On Sunday, Aug. 27 at around 6:22 a.m., Franklin Township Police were called to a single-car crash on Somerset Street (Route 27) near Voorhees Avenue in Somerset.

Oberoi was taken to an area trauma center via ambulance with undisclosed injuries sustained from the crash. He is listed in stable condition and is expected to recover.

The vehicle was also occupied by three passengers:

• Passenger #1 - front seat passenger, identified as a 29-year-old man from Highland Park sustained minor injuries, and refused medical attention at the scene.
• Passenger #2 – right rear seated passenger, identified as a 24-year-old man from Somerset was ejected from the vehicle at the time of the crash suffering fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
• Passenger #3 – left rear seated passenger, identified as a 20-year-old man from North Brunswick was trapped in the vehicle following the crash and required extrication. As a result of the crash, he suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation found that Oberoi while driving the 2007 Audi Q7 southbound on Somerset Street at a high rate of speed lost control of the car causing the car to leave the road hitting several trees, lamp posts, and a utility pole before coming to rest.

According to investigation, Oberoi was over the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (B.A.C.) limit at the time of the incident, said McDonald.

On Wednesday, Aug. 30, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit along with detectives from the Franklin Township Police served Oberoi with a criminal complaint warrant charging him with two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide.

Franklin Township Police also issued Oberoi with the following motor vehicle violations: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, improper passing, and failure to keep right.

Oberoi who remains at an area trauma center will be under police custody. When he is released he will be taken to the Somerset County Jail for processing and a detention hearing.

The investigation remains ongoing. None of the other occupants were law enforcement officers.

Edison Mayor's Statement

Following the news of charges filed against Oberoi, Edison Mayor Sam Joshi released a statement saying the officer would be terminated from the department.

"We are all deeply saddened by this horrific event, and my heart goes out to all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy," Joshi said.

"Although Oberoi was off-duty at the time of the double fatal motor vehicle incident, given the egregious nature of the charges against him, I am moving to immediately terminate him from the Edison Police Department.”

Anyone with information relating to this fatal crash is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office at 908-231-7100, or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app.

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.

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