6 Killed In 4 Crashes Over Weekend In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A total of six people were killed in car crashes over the weekend in Somerset County, including two separate double fatal crashes.

The number of fatalities has prompted Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald to remind the public that "as we head into the Labor Day weekend to remain vigilant and cautious on all New Jersey roadways. We want our community members to understand that it is our priority to keep people safe."

Bedminster Fatal Crash

On Friday morning, a driver of a tractor-trailer ran off Interstate 287 into a steep embankment in Bedminster and died.

Montgomery Fatal Crash

On Aug. 25 at around 12:46 p.m., a driver died after his car went off a bridge and into a brook in Montgomery in the area of Belle Mead Griggstown Road and Pike Run Road.

Manville Double Fatal Crash

On Aug. 25 at around 1:27 p.m., Manville Police were called to a three-car crash at the intersection of Main Street and Dukes Parkway East. Two people later died as a result.

A 75-year-old woman from Manville who was driving a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was taken via ambulance to an area hospital where she was subsequently pronounced dead, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

A 52-year-old man from East Newark, who was driving a 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 was airlifted to an area trauma center where he was subsequently pronounced dead, said McDonald.

The driver of the third vehicle in the crash, a 74-year-old Manville resident driving a 2006 Honda Pilot was taken to an area hospital via ambulance with minor injuries and is expected to recover.

An investigation found that the driver of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was driving her vehicle northbound on Main Street in the right lane when she disregarded the red traffic signal and hit the driver of the 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 as he drove his vehicle eastbound from Dukes Parkway into the shopping center on the northbound side of the road, said McDonald.

After the initial impact, the Mercedes Benz then hit the driver of the 2006 Honda Pilot who was driving his vehicle westbound out of the shopping center as he intended to turn left to go south on Main Street, said McDonald.

The circumstances and events leading to the fatal motor vehicle crash remain under investigation by authorities and the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

Franklin Double Fatal Crash

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.

Officers along with Emergency Medical personnel began life-saving measures on the people inside the vehicle.

A 29-year-old man from Somerset who was driving a 2007 Audi Q7 was taken to an area trauma center via ambulance with undisclosed injuries sustained from the crash and is expected to recover.

The vehicle was 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 the driver of the 2007 Audi Q7 was driving southbound on Somerset Street when the vehicle left the roadway hitting several trees, lamp posts, and a utility pole before coming to a rest, said McDonald.

The circumstances and events leading to the fatal motor vehicle crash remain under investigation by authorities and the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anyone with information relating to the fatal crashes is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office at 908-231-7100, the Manville Borough Police Department at 908-722-0089, 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.

• See Related: Driver Dies After Truck Careens Down I-287 Embankment In Bedminster
• Related: Driver Dies After Car Crashes Off Bridge Into Brook In Montgomery
• Related: 2 Dead Following 3-Car Crash In Manville

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