Off-Duty Cop Drunk During Double Fatal Somerset County Crash: Prosecutor

SOMERSET, NJ — An Edison Police Officer, who was off-duty at the time, is being accused of being drunk during a car crash in Somerset where two of his passengers died, said authorities.

Amitoj Oberoi, 29, of Somerset, was charged with two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide in connection with the crash on Somerset Street (Route 27) that killed two people on Sunday, Aug. 27.

Oberoi, who is employed as an Edison Police Officer and off-duty at the time of the crash, was driving the 2007 Audi Q7 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. Oberoi 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.

An investigation found that 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.

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.

• See Related: 6 Killed In 4 Crashes Over Weekend In Somerset County

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