Bridgewater, NJ – A multi-vehicle crash on Route 22 East near Grove Street resulted in one fatality and one injury on May 31 around 4:06 p.m.
According to the Bridgewater Township Police Department, a white Tesla stopped abruptly in the center lane, causing a following 2018 Subaru Outback to brake suddenly. A 2002 Buick LeSabre, traveling behind the Subaru, was unable to stop and struck it from behind, causing the Subaru to spin into the left lane.
The Buick lost control and crossed into the right lane, exiting the roadway and colliding with a tree approximately a quarter mile east of the initial impact. Officers found the 91-year-old Buick driver unresponsive and initiated CPR until medical personnel arrived. He was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A 93-year-old female passenger in the Buick sustained minor injuries and was also hospitalized. The three occupants of the Subaru were uninjured. Authorities have not commented on the Tesla’s involvement or whether its driver faced any charges.
Route 22 East was closed for about six hours due to the accident. The incident remains under investigation by the Bridgewater Township Police Traffic Safety Unit and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.