Driver Dies After Crossing Into Oncoming Traffic In Somerset County: Prosecutor

SOMERSET, NJ — One driver is dead and another was taken to a hospital for injuries following a three-car crash in Somerset on Monday night.

On June 19 at around 5:30 p.m. Franklin Township Police went to the scene of a three-car crash at the intersection of Hamilton Street and Hillcrest Avenue in the Somerset section of Franklin, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather.

Emergency responders began life-saving measures on Mario Heslop, 23, of New Brunswick, who was driving a 2013 Infiniti Q50S, said McDonald.

He was taken to an area trauma hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead, said McDonald.

The driver of the second vehicle in the crash, whom authorities are identifying as a Hillsborough resident, sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the crash. That driver was taken to and treated at an area hospital.

The driver of the third vehicle involved in the crash claimed no injury and refused medical attention at the scene, said McDonald.

A preliminary investigation found that Heslop was driving his Infiniti eastbound in the left lane when he crossed the centerline and hit the second vehicle which was driving westbound in the left lane of Hamilton Street, said McDonald.

The second vehicle was then hit from behind by the third vehicle involved in the crash, which was also traveling westbound in the left lane of Hamilton Street, said McDonald.

Patrol officers, traffic safety officers, and detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department, and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team conducted the investigation.

The circumstances and events leading to the fatal motor vehicle crash remain under investigation.

Anyone with information relating to the fatal crash is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit 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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