Raritan, NJ – A fatal crash at the intersection of Route 202 and First Avenue claimed the life of a Bridgewater woman Monday morning after the driver of the other vehicle allegedly fled the scene before being captured by police.
The collision occurred at approximately 6:29 a.m., according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay, and Raritan Borough Police Chief Thomas Fisher.
Driver located after fleeing crash scene
According to investigators, officers with the Raritan Police Department arrived to find a crash involving a Genesis SUV and an Acura SUV at the intersection of Route 202 and First Avenue.
The preliminary investigation found that the Genesis entered the intersection and struck the driver’s side of the Acura. The Acura’s driver, a woman from Bridgewater, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said the driver of the Genesis fled on foot immediately after the collision but was later apprehended by Raritan police. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
Investigation remains ongoing
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team, the Major Crimes Unit, the Raritan Police Department, and investigators from the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded to investigate the fatal crash.
Officials said the investigation remains active pending the findings of the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team. No charges were announced Tuesday, and authorities have not released the identities of either driver.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100, the Raritan Police Department at 908-725-6700, submit an anonymous tip through the STOPit app using access code SOMERSETNJ, call the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477), or visit SCPO.TIPS.
Leaving the scene of a fatal crash is a serious offense in New Jersey, and investigators routinely reconstruct collisions to determine how they occurred and whether criminal charges are warranted. Authorities are continuing to gather evidence before making any additional announcements.