Woman Killed in Rt. 80 Crash Was Pregnant, Alleged Drunk Driver Arrested 6 Times

The man accused of driving drunk early Saturday morning on Route 80 in Rockaway Township has been arrested half a dozen times in the past, and one of the victims he crashed into and killed was 18 weeks pregnant.

At a hearing Monday in Superior Court in Morristown, Judge William McGovern raised the $300,000 bail for Bhavuk Uppal, 22, of Mountain Lakes, to $750,000 with no 10-percent option.

According to nj.com, Uppal’s prior criminal history includes six arrests in six years ranging from theft to failure to turn over a controlled dangerous substance to police. In addition to the crash, authorities believe the Cadillac Escalade Uppal was driving was not his, and further charges may come, nj.com reported.

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. At the time of the incident, Uppal was driving with a suspended license.

Under the current charges, which include three counts of death by auto and two counts of assault by auto, Uppal faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors are looking to upgrade the charges and ask for a life sentence, News 12 reported. Uppal is next due in court on August 11.

Pictured: Bhavuk Uppal, 22, of Mountain Lakes. Photo Courtesy New Jersey State Police