BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, NJ – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor announced an ongoing investigation into a fatal motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old Branchburg male resident.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Friday, October 8, 2021 at approximately 8:21 p.m. Branchburg Township Police responded to a single motor vehicle crash on Fairview Drive, Branchburg Township, New Jersey. Responding Officers along with Emergency Medical personnel upon arrival to the crash scene initiated life-saving measures on a male passenger from the vehicle who was ejected from the car. The male front seat passenger identified as Branchburg Township resident, 17-year-old Vincent R. Gagliardi, was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that the preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle, a 2006 Toyota Scion, was being operated westbound on Fairview Drive prior to the motor vehicle crash, which consisted of striking several roadside objects across several hundred feet of roadway. The vehicle was occupied by a total of three occupants at the time of the crash. The driver and rear-seat passenger were evaluated and treated at the scene and refused further medical treatment.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that detectives from the Branchburg Township Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team, and the Major Crimes Unit responded to conduct the investigation. The circumstances and events leading to the fatal motor vehicle remain under investigation.
Prosecutor Robertson and Chief Fodor request anyone with information relating to the fatal motor vehicle crash to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office (908) 231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
NOTE: The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.