Driver Sped Head-On Into Car With 2 Adults, Infant In Union County, Prosecutor Says

LINDEN, NJ — A driver was charged after police say he sped into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a car, critically injuring an infant and two adults in Linden.

Darryl Petlock, 48, of Keansburg, was charged with two counts of second-degree eluding, five counts of second-degree aggravated assault while eluding, and three counts of fourth-degree assault by auto, said Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Linden Police Chief David Hart.

At around 2:45 p.m. on Monday, Linden Police Officers were notified of a Jeep Grand Cherokee speeding on East Linden Avenue, according to a preliminary investigation.

Linden Officers reportedly saw the Jeep speeding into oncoming traffic to try to drive around a pickup truck.

The Jeep then crashed head-on with a Honda Civic with a 33-year-old woman, a 29-year-old man, and a 3-month-old baby inside, said Daniel.

The passengers of the Honda Civic were taken to a local area hospital with critical injuries.

Petlock was taken into custody and taken to a local area hospital.

Neighbors reportedly told NBC New York that they heard sirens before the crash and there was a police chase of the Jeep.

When asked if a police chase was involved in the crash, the UCPO spokesperson Lauren Farinas told Patch, "The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. At this time, our office has no additional information to release."

Anyone with information should contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit Detective Grace Proetta at 908-358-7932 or Sergeant Craig Famoso at 908-578-1036.

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