Truck Carrying 6-year-old Boy Flips Over in Fanwood

Four passengers including a six-year-old boy were trapped inside of a 1997 Ford Pickup truck after the driver lost control of the vehicle which flipped over on La Grande Avenue in Fanwood on Tuesday afternoon.

Chief Richard Trigo stated that Fanwood Police, Fire and Rescue Squad personnel responded to the scene at 3:48 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15 at La Grande and Beech Avenue where the vehicle had overturned.

“The driver was heading east on La Grande Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle,” Chief Trigo said. “The vehicle went up on the curb, skimmed a telephone poll and hit a tree stump which flipped the vehicle.”

Chief Trigo stated that when Fanwood Police responded to the scene, the two adult passengers attempted to make a break for it after Police discovered they were intoxicated.

“After the accident occurred, the 20 and 24-year-old passengers, who were under the influence, attempted to flee the scene on foot,” Trigo said. “They were detained by Fanwood Police and one was arrested and charged with possession of an open container.”

 The driver, who was not under the influence, was also arrested after Police discovered an outstanding warrant out of Madison.  

The driver is a 29-year-old Plainfield resident, the first passenger is a 24-year-old male from Bound Brook, and the second passenger is a 20-year-old male from Plainfield. The 6-year-old boy is the son of the driver.

Not one of the four passengers was seriously injured.  All  received medical attention from the Rescue Squad and the 24-year-old passenger was treated for pain in his right hand.  As the accident is still under investigation, Chief Trigo declined to reveal the names of the driver and passengers.

“The tree that [the driver] hit had just been cut. If that tree was still standing, it could have been a catastrophic situation,” Trigo added.