Advisory
INCIDENT: 2020-1804 Serious Motor Vehicle Collision
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 1/16/2020 at 10:01 pm
LOCATION OCCURRED: US Route 1 South at Washington Road (Penns Neck Circle)
OFFICERS: 1) Det. Sgt. J. Lai #470
2) Traffic Sgt. F. Bal #467
3) Sgt. K. Loretucci #476
4) Sgt. D. Jelinski #463
5) Traffic Officer N. LaRocca #585
6) Traffic Officer K. Brown #589—Lead Investigator
7) Ptl. J. Collins #595
8) Ptl. D. Fiore #5105
9) Ptl. P. Buchanan #5109
10) Ptl. G. DeBlasio #5111
OTHERS INVOLVED:
1) West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services (Squad
#45)
2) West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company (Station #43)
3) Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company (Station #44)
4) Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision
Response Team (SCRT)
DRIVER #1: 48 year old A/F **Identity being witheld**
Resident of West Berlin, NJ 08091
DETAILS: On January 16, 2020 at 10:01 pm, Patrol Units responded to the intersection of US Route 1 South at Washington Road (Penns Neck Circle) on a report of a Serious Motor Vehicle Collision with entrapment. Upon arrival, Ptl. Fiore & Ptl. DeBlasio found a 2016 Toyota Rav4 in its final resting position in the right lane of US Route 1 southbound after the vehicle had struck a large utility pole just off of the roadway. Due to the entrapment of the driver, Ptl. Fiore & Ptl. DeBalasio used resources to gain entry into the Toyota by breaching the windows. Ultimately, Ptl. Fiore & Ptl. DeBlasio reached the Driver #1, who was found unconscious, unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Squad #45 continued life saving measures for Driver #1 and transported her to the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. After initial treatment at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Driver #1 was flown to RWJ New Brunswick Trauma Center where she was listed in Critical Condition in the Intensive Care Unit.
Stations #43 & #44 arrived at the scene. In addition, the WWPD’s Traffic Bureau & Detective Bureau and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office SCRT responded to the scene to conduct an investigation into the crash.
The following was determined at the time of this release: Vehicle #1, was traveling South on US Route 1 in the middle lane at the intersection of Washington Road (Penns Neck Circle). Due to a medical event to Driver #1, Vehicle #1 continued in a westerly direction, entered into the right lane of US Route 1 South, and ultimately exited the roadway where it struck a utility pole. As a result of the medical episode, no evasive maneuvers (ie steering and/or braking) were attempted by Driver #1 prior to impact. The utility pole and Vehicle #1 both sustained heavy damage from the impact. The roadway had multiple lanes closed for approximately (3) Hours.
Although there are preliminary findings, the Lead Investigator, Traffic Officer Brown, requests that if anyone has any additional pertinent information into this incident to please contact him at [email protected], (609) 799-1222, or on our Anonymous Phone-line (609) 799-0452.
**UPDATE 1/18/2020**: Earlier this afternoon, Driver #1 succumbed as a result of this incident. Chief Garofalo offers his thoughts and prayers to the family during this devastating time. Chief Garofalo wanted to make sure he acknowledged the work of our Dispatch Center, Patrol Officers, Emergency First Responders, and our partners at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center & RWJ New Brunswick for their life saving efforts. Their teamwork gave a family precious additional time with their loved one.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: Lt. M. Lee #359
DATE OF RELEASE: 1/18/2020
**************
**WWPD Press Release 1/18/2020: Serious Motor Vehicle Collision 1/16/2020 Results in Fatality. Issued By Lt. Lee
PRESS INFORMATION **UPDATE BELOW**
INCIDENT: 2020-1804 Serious Motor Vehicle Collision
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 1/16/2020 at 10:01 pm
LOCATION OCCURRED: US Route 1 South at Washington Road (Penns Neck Circle)
OFFICERS: 1) Det. Sgt. J. Lai #470
2) Traffic Sgt. F. Bal #467
3) Sgt. K. Loretucci #476
4) Sgt. D. Jelinski #463
5) Traffic Officer N. LaRocca #585
6) Traffic Officer K. Brown #589—Lead Investigator
7) Ptl. J. Collins #595
8) Ptl. D. Fiore #5105
9) Ptl. P. Buchanan #5109
10) Ptl. G. DeBlasio #5111
OTHERS INVOLVED:
1) West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services (Squad
#45)
2) West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company (Station #43)
3) Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company (Station #44)
4) Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision
Response Team (SCRT)
DRIVER #1: 48 year old A/F **Identity being witheld**
Resident of West Berlin, NJ 08091
DETAILS: On January 16, 2020 at 10:01 pm, Patrol Units responded to the intersection of US Route 1 South at Washington Road (Penns Neck Circle) on a report of a Serious Motor Vehicle Collision with entrapment. Upon arrival, Ptl. Fiore & Ptl. DeBlasio found a 2016 Toyota Rav4 in its final resting position in the right lane of US Route 1 southbound after the vehicle had struck a large utility pole just off of the roadway. Due to the entrapment of the driver, Ptl. Fiore & Ptl. DeBalasio used resources to gain entry into the Toyota by breaching the windows. Ultimately, Ptl. Fiore & Ptl. DeBlasio reached the Driver #1, who was found unconscious, unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Squad #45 continued life saving measures for Driver #1 and transported her to the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. After initial treatment at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Driver #1 was flown to RWJ New Brunswick Trauma Center where she was listed in Critical Condition in the Intensive Care Unit.
Stations #43 & #44 arrived at the scene. In addition, the WWPD’s Traffic Bureau & Detective Bureau and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office SCRT responded to the scene to conduct an investigation into the crash.
The following was determined at the time of this release: Vehicle #1, was traveling South on US Route 1 in the middle lane at the intersection of Washington Road (Penns Neck Circle). Due to a medical event to Driver #1, Vehicle #1 continued in a westerly direction, entered into the right lane of US Route 1 South, and ultimately exited the roadway where it struck a utility pole. As a result of the medical episode, no evasive maneuvers (ie steering and/or braking) were attempted by Driver #1 prior to impact. The utility pole and Vehicle #1 both sustained heavy damage from the impact. The roadway had multiple lanes closed for approximately (3) Hours.
Although there are preliminary findings, the Lead Investigator, Traffic Officer Brown, requests that if anyone has any additional pertinent information into this incident to please contact him at [email protected], (609) 799-1222, or on our Anonymous Phone-line (609) 799-0452.
**UPDATE 1/18/2020**: Earlier this afternoon, Driver #1 succumbed as a result of this incident. Chief Garofalo offers his thoughts and prayers to the family during this devastating time. Chief Garofalo wanted to make sure he acknowledged the work of our Dispatch Center, Patrol Officers, Emergency First Responders, and our partners at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center & RWJ New Brunswick for their life saving efforts. Their teamwork gave a family precious additional time with their loved one.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: Lt. M. Lee #359
DATE OF RELEASE: 1/18/2020
**************
Address/Location
West Windsor Police Department, NJ
271 Clarksville Rd
West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 609-799-1222
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