WOODBRIDGE, NJ – The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal crash in Woodbridge Township that occurred early Thursday following a brief police pursuit, leaving one woman dead and several others seriously injured.
According to preliminary information released by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the incident began shortly before midnight on February 19, when a Woodbridge police officer attempted to stop a Nissan Maxima speeding southbound on Route 1. Approximately one minute later, the Nissan collided with another vehicle near Gill Lane.
The passenger of the Nissan, a female civilian, was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. Friday. Multiple people from both vehicles were seriously injured and transported to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center. Investigators also confirmed that a deceased dog was found inside the Nissan. Officials said the police vehicle was not directly involved in the collision.
State law mandates independent probe of deadly encounters
The investigation is being handled by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, as required under New Jersey law N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), which mandates independent review when a person dies during or following an encounter with law enforcement. All such cases are presented to a grand jury to determine whether criminal charges are warranted against any involved officers.
- One woman killed, several others hurt in Woodbridge Route 1 crash
- Incident occurred after brief police pursuit near Gill Lane
- Attorney General’s Office leading independent investigation
Officials have not released the identities of those involved. The probe remains ongoing as investigators work to reconstruct the events leading up to the deadly collision.
State investigators reviewing Woodbridge pursuit fatality