Jersey City Woman Killed In Car Crash Near Passaic River

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Authorities have identified a woman killed in a single-car crash near the Passaic River on Tuesday — which forced police to enter the water to tend to the victim — as a 41-year-old Jersey City resident.

Lajoy Battle died at the scene, said the Long Hill Police Department.

The crash occurred at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday near the Valley Mall, a shopping center in Gillette, said Police Chief Ahmed Naga.

Police said that witnesses saw a blue 2021 Lexus IS300 drive quickly through the mall parking lot before it crashed behind HomeGoods. The vehicle struck a tree and landed in low-lying water along the Passaic River, police said.

Battle was the car's only occupant, Naga said.

Sgt. Missy Sugalski and Officer Christopher Geresi entered the water and broke the windows to reach Battle. She was unresponsive and had no pulse, police said. Extensive vehicle damage hindered efforts to extricate her.

The crash significantly injured Battle, who paramedics pronounced dead at the scene. Officials transported her to the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

The Long Hill Township Police Department's investigation continues. Anyone with information can call the agency at 908-647-1800.

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