19 Tickets, 12 Suspensions in 2 Years for Alleged Drunk Driver in Triple-Fatal Crash

The Morris County man accused of drunk driving early Saturday morning and crashing into a vehicle on Route 80 that resulted in the deaths of three people and an unborn baby has had his license suspended a dozen times in the past.

Bhavuk Uppal, 22, of Mountain Lakes, is jailed in lieu of $750,000 bail for setting off a multi-car crash on the interstate highway July 11, killing a man, pregnant woman, baby, and injuring two others.

According to nj.com, Uppal should have never been on the road in the first place.

The report showed Uppal had been cited 19 times for motor vehicle violations between 2012 and 2014, ranging in offenses from no license, registration, or insurance to speeding and reckless driving.

At the time of the fatal crash, Uppal was on indefinite suspension, having lost his license a total of 12 times, the report said.

See related:

• Cops: Drunk Driver Crashes, Kills 3 in Fiery Multi-Car Wreck on Route 80
• Woman Killed in Rt. 80 Crash Was Pregnant, Alleged Drunk Driver Arrested 6 Times

During a hearing Monday in which a Superior Court Judge raised Uppal’s bail from $300,000 to $750,000, it was also revealed the man had been arrested six times since 2009 for various offenses including drug possession and theft.

Heading west on Route 80 around 1:40 a.m. Saturday morning, Uppal’s vehicle allegedly struck a Kia carrying a man, woman, and baby – who authorities have not identified – which then rear-ended the vehicle in front of it.

The Kia burst into flames, killing all three occupants. It was revealed at the bail hearing the woman inside the car was 18 weeks pregnant, according to News 12 New Jersey.

The front vehicle that was rear-ended had two occupants, both of whom suffered non-life threatening injuries and were treated at Morristown Medical Center.

All three victims inside the Kia were pronounced dead at the scene at 4 a.m.

The deceased have not yet been identified by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Uppal is next due in court on August 11.