Baby Hospitalized After Car Crash Ejection, Cops Say

Five people, including a 14-month-old baby, were taken to a hospital Monday afternoon as a result of a two-car crash that took down a utility pole, Hackettstown Police Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

Mary Canavan, 63, of Hackettstown was travelling north on Lafayette Street when she drove through a stop sign, Tynan said. As a result, Canavan struck a taxi travelling west on Franklin Street, forcing it into a telephone pole, Tynan said.

The taxi, driven by Miguel Caceres, 41, of Hackettstown, also had three passengers–Miguel Miranda, 46, and Zeida Bonilla, 26, both of Hackettstown–who were trapped inside the vehicle, Tynan said. The third passenger, a 14-month-old girl, was ejected from the car and found on the ground outside the car when police arrived, Tynan said.

Miranda and Bonilla were both taken to Morristown Medical Center for hip injuries via ambulance, and Canavan and Caceres were both taken to Hackettstown Regional Medical Center for various injuries, Tynan said.

The baby was airlifted to Morristown Medical Center with a head injury, Tynan said.

As of Tuesday morning, the baby, Bonilla and Miranda are still in Morristown Medical Center, Tynan said, all in stable condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed the baby was not in a child restraint at the time of the accident, Tynan said.

The crash is still under investigation and charges are still pending, Tynan said.

The incident forced Franklin Street to close for several hours, and the Hackettstown Rescue Squad, Hackettstown Detective Bureau, Hackettstown Fire Police, St. Clare’s Medical Unit, Mansfield Township Ambulance, Independence Township Ambulance, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, Hackettstown Department of Public Works and Jersey Central Power & Light all assisted at the scene.

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