A fatal car accident occurred in West Windsor, New Jersey, on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, when a 63-year-old-man went off the road and struck several trees. The accident was linked to a tractor-trailer that had travelled the area earlier.
The West Windsor crash was one of four fatal vehicle accidents that took place in New Jersey over the week, including a school bus crash and a pedestrian who was struck by a garbage truck.
One Dead After West Windsor Crash
February 1, 2017
Gerard Haburay, who was killed in the New Jersey crash, was traveling north on Route 1 North at about 12:39 a.m. when the accident occurred. A New York resident, Haburay was driving a 1992 Dodge Van, which left the roadway about a half mile from Quakerbridge Road before hitting the trees alongside the road.
Haburay was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center after the accident, where he later died from his injuries.
Truck Debris Caused Crash in New Jersey Township
Although the West Windsor crash is still under investigation, officials believe it was caused by debris left behind from a semi-truck traveling on the same road earlier. The tractor-trailer was driven by Jose Araya, a resident of Somerset, New Jersey.
No information has been given on how soon the crash occurred after the semi-truck drove through the area, but it’s believed that tire debris left by the truck was the reason Haburay crashed. It remains unknown whether Haburay struck the debris or whether he swerved to avoid it.
As the accident is currently being investigated by the West Windsor Police Traffic Bureau and detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team, witnesses to the crash are being asked to come forward with information.
Students Help Save Lives in Fatal New Jersey School Bus Crash
February 1, 2017
On the same day as the West Windsor crash, another motorist died in West Windsor, this time a school bus driver who crashed into a tree.
The school bus crash happened around 3:10 p.m. as the driver transported seven West-Windsor Plainsboro High School South students near Old Trenton Road. Township police believe that the driver suffered a medical emergency and that he passed out, which in turn caused the accident.
Following the low-speed crash, the unidentified 73-year-old-driver was taken to the University Medical Center at Princeton-Plainsboro. He died at the hospital.
Officials have not confirmed what medical emergency the driver suffered, but the school bus hit a tree branch and a tree before it came to a stop on the side of the road. Students on board rushed to help the driver and ensure the vehicle was safe.
“A girl and a boy who were also on the bus tried to ensure that he was back on the seat,” student Sanjana Marepally told ABC7NY. “And we didn’t have much control there, and he kind of fell off. So I reached over and put [the bus] in park and took the keys out.”
Raj Datta, a parent on the scene, reported that the driver was conscious following the crash, and speculated that perhaps he was diabetic because he was mumbling and turned blue.
Both the students and witnesses, however, believe the driver did everything he could to prevent injury to the students as the accident unfolded, and that he attempted to control the crash in the gentlest way.
No injuries were reported for the students, with the exception of one 14-year-old who mentioned wrist pain, but did not want medical attention. The school bus had only minor damage.
In recent months, concerns have been raised over older drivers and increasing rates of accidents. One factor that officials suspect may contribute to the growing number of crashes is medical conditions.
Fiery Crash on NJ Turnpike
January 31, 2017
One day prior to the West Windsor crash and school bus crash, both right lanes of the northbound New Jersey Turnpike were shut down after a semi-truck driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed.
The tractor-trailer, which was driven by Newark resident Juan Rojas, was traveling in Linden, near exit 13, around 7:00 p.m. when Rojas lost control and hit a guardrail. The semi flipped over before bursting into flames. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, but the lanes remained closed as officials investigated the accident.
Rojas, who was thrown from the semi truck, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Garbage Truck Hits and Kills Pedestrian
February 3, 2017
Three days after the New Jersey Turnpike accident, a New York City man was killed in New Jersey by a garbage truck while he was walking in the early morning.
Thirty-two-year-old Caleb J. Serrano was in the crosswalk at Avenue C in Bayonne, N.J. around 5:00 a.m. when the garbage truck, which was making a left turn, struck him. The 44-year-old garbage truck driver, who worked for Suburban Disposal Inc., stayed at the scene of the accident, and no charges have been filed against him so far.
Residents in the area say that it is common to see cars run red lights on Avenue C, and that speeding is also a huge concern.
The fatal pedestrian accident is being investigated by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.