January 31, 2024
Three Die in Tragic Crash Involving School Bus in South Brunswick
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Around 5:27 p.m. Police, firefighters and EMS responded to the intersection of Route 130 and Stults Road for a serious crash involving a South Brunswick Township School Bus and a car. There were reports of multiple people entrapped in the car and that they were extricated and rushed to a local hospital for treatment. Two students and the bus driver were not injured in the crash.
Police say Route 130 North Bound from Route 32 to Stults Road is shut down due to a serious motor vehicle crash. Stults Road at Route 130 intersection is also shut down. Please avoid area and plan alternate routes.
South Brunswick Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the crash.
The story will be updated as information becomes available.
January 31, 2024
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Sometime around 2:20 p.m. a vehicle hit the back of a tractor trailer on Twin Rivers Drive. East Windsor Police, Cranbury First Aid Squad and Captial Paramedics responded to the scene. It was reported that one person was transported to Captial Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton for treatment.
Another accident occored around 2:25 p.m. at the intersection of Route 33 and Airport Road with reported entrapment. East Windsor Police, East Windsor Fire Company and East Windsor EMS responded to the scene and reported no one was trapped. It was reported that one person was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
East Windsor Police are investigating both crashes. No addional details are available at this time.
A vehicle hit a tractor trailer on Twin Rivers Drive.
This accident occored at the intersection of Route 33 and Airport Road.
January 31, 2024
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Raymond Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department announced today that Giovanni Gaines-Little, 24, of Camden, has been charged in connection with a fatal hit and run that occurred on February 25, 2023.On February 25, 2023, at approximately 9:58 P.M., authorities responded to the intersection of Route 130 and Route 32 following the report of a crash. Upon their arrival, authorities located Kerri Lynn Shea, 43, of East Windsor, who died as a result of the crash. Shea was married and had one daughter at the time of the crash. Shea was a vice president at Merrill Lynch in Hopewell.
The 11-month investigation led by Patrolman First Class Officer Bryan Sites of the South Brunswick Police Department and Detective Matthew Colonna of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Giovanni Gaines-Little, 24, of Camden, was the driver of the other vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Gaines-Little was arrested on January 29, 2024, and charged with second-degree Vehicular Homicide, second-degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death, third-degree Causing Death While Operating a Motor Vehicle in Violation of N.J.S.A. 39:3-40 or While Unlicensed, fourth-degree Obstructing Administration of Law, third-degree Hindering One’s Own Apprehension or Prosecution, second-degree Hindering One’s Own Apprehension or Prosecution, and third-degree Witness Tampering.
Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “The investigators were determined to follow all the leads and track down the person responsible for this fatal crash. This mom was just coming home from volunteering at a local theater company when this driver ran the red light and killed her. I appreciate all the work and dedication by the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office, PFC Sites, and our Traffic Safety Bureau on this case.”
Gaines-Little is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.
A GoFundMe account was set up for the victim’s family –
https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-kerrilynn-shea-memorial-fund
January 29, 2024
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas-Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, to conduct a two month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the Ocean County area. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified Jireh Mathis, 27, and Tashawn McDonald, 23, both of Trenton, as being involved in the distribution of Heroin/Fentanyl and Cocaine in Ocean County.
In early December 2023, Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on both Mathis and McDonald. On January 22, 2024, Detectives observed Mathis and McDonald arriving at the Green Meadow Apartment Complex in Toms River in a vehicle operated by Mathis. Mathis and McDonald both exited the vehicle, and they were approached by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force. As Detectives made contact with Mathis, he attempted to flee the scene but was subsequently apprehended and taken into custody. McDonald was taken into custody without incident. In a subsequent search incident to his arrest, Mathis was found to be in possession of approximately 500 wax folds of Heroin/Fentanyl and ten grams of Cocaine. In total, law enforcement seized approximately 1,500 wax folds of Heroin/Fentanyl and 25 grams of Cocaine throughout the course of the investigation.
Mathis was charged with Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin, Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, and Resisting Arrest. Mathis is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending trial.
McDonald was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin, and Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine. McDonald was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas-Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
January 28, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Police say that on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 12:04 p.m. Trenton Police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a deceased male and female in a garage in the 900 block of Chambers Street. Officers arrived on scene and met with the caller who reported that he knows both the male and female as homeless from the area. He related that he had not seen the garage door open where they were staying for the last few days and decided to check on them. When he went into the garage, he discovered the pair deceased. An investigation into the circumstances was conducted and no foul play was believed to have occurred. The Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted and took both individuals for autopsies to determine a cause of death. The identities of both the male and female are being withheld pending notification of family members. This is an active investigation.
File photo
January 26, 2024
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On Friday, January 26, 2024 at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Lawrence Township Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting smoke coming from a nearby neighbor’s residence at 175 Johnson Ave (Eggerts Crossing Village). Officers responded to find visible fire on the second floor of the home. The residents were not home at the time that the fire was reported.
There were no injuries, however the home sustained significant damage. The American Red Cross responded to the scene to aid the displaced family.
The fire was placed under control at 2:11 p.m. by Lawrence Township Fire Chief, Jack Oakley. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Lawrence Township Police Department, Lawrence Township Fire Marshal’s Office and the Mercer County Prosecutors Office.
Members of the Lawrence Township Fire Department were assisted by area fire departments from Hamilton Township, City of Trenton and Ewing Township.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Lawrence Township Police Detective Suzanne Girard at 609-844-7124 / [email protected]
January 26, 2024
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and East Windsor Police Chief Jason A. Hart announced today that a man has been charged in connection with his father’s death.
Yu Chavarria, 23, is charged with one count of second-degree manslaughter. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Chavarria pending trial.
East Windsor police responded to a residence on Twin Rivers Drive North at approximately 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, on a report of an unconscious male. Upon arrival, officers found a tenant of the property, identified as 58-year-old Edgar Chavarria, on the kitchen floor bleeding from the head and face. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation revealed that the father and son got into a verbal argument Thursday morning that turned into a physical altercation, with Yu Chavarria striking his father in the face multiple times with his fist and then once with his head.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the East Windsor Township Police Department, specifically MCHTF Detective Tim Bruey and East Windsor Detective Joe Zucchero.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Yu Chavarria, 23, is charged with one count of second-degree manslaughter. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Chavarria pending trial.
Police investigating the death of 58-year-old Edgar Chavarria at his residence on Twin Rivers Drive North. His son Yu Chavarria, 23, is charged with the crime. Photos by: Dennis Symons
January 26, 2024
BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Police say that NJ State Troopers responded at 5:00 p.m. January 25, 2024, to a motor vehicle crash on the Garden State Parkway south bound milepost 68.2, Barnegat Township, Ocean County. Based on a preliminary investigation George M Francis, a 34-year-old male of Lanoka Harbor, NJ was operating a Infiniti EX35 south on the GSP with front passenger Bridget Francis, a 34-year-old female of Lanoka Harbor, NJ and two rear seat passenger juveniles. In the area of milepost 68.2 the vehicle ran off the road to the right, traveled down an embankment and impacted a retaining wall and multiple trees. During the collision sequence the driver was ejected and sustained fatal injuries, the front passenger sustained serious injuries and the juveniles sustained no injuries. The crash remains under investigation and there is no additional information available.
January 25, 2024
ROBBINSVILLE – UPPER FREEHOLD, NJ — Around 4:27 p.m. a vehicle traveling south on Old York Road lost control and left the roadway in the 1300 Block of Old York Road near the curve in New Sharon and came to rest in wooded area near a creek on the Upper Freehold side of the roadway. Robbinsville Township Fire Department, EMS, Hope Fire Company of Allentown and Captial Health EMS and Paramedics responded to the scene. There were initial reports of entrapment and firefighters had the driver free in a few minutes. The driver was transported by EMS to Captial Health Regional Medical Center by Robbinsville EMS and Captial Health Paramedics. Robbinsville Township Police and New Jersey State Police were on scene. No further details are available.
January 25, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–State Farm has sent letters to policy holders in New Jersey that they are giving notice that they filed notice with New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance seeking a rate increase of 23.7% for the Private Passenger Automobile line of Business.
Under the filing policy holders with liability-only would see an average rate change of 24.8% increase. Full Coverage policies that include comprehensive and collision coverage will see a rate change of 23.5% increase.
The company stated in the letter received by policy holders that the rate increase is subject to review and approval by the Department of Banking and Insurance pursuant to law, and the request ultimately may not be approved or may not be approved for the full amount requested. If approved in whole or part, the rate change will not affect existing polices until renewal.
See letter from State Farm that went to NJ’s policy holders below:
State_Farm_Price_Increase_01252024Download
January 24, 2024
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX) – The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at a South Brunswick, New Jersey, motel. A man sustained fatal injuries after exchanging gunfire with officers. His identity is not being released at this time.
According to the preliminary information, members of the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Task Force, assisting the New York office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, arrived at the motel on Route 1 South in Monmouth Junction at approximately 2:05 p.m. to execute an arrest warrant for a suspect in several felony offenses. At approximately 2:47 p.m., the individual to be arrested exchanged gunfire with officers. The individual was pronounced deceased at approximately 4:29 p.m. Authorities recovered two firearms near the decedent. No officers were hit during the shooting.
This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office conduct the investigation of any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
January 24, 2024
NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Around 3:35 p.m. today January 24, 2024, firefighters were detailed to 633 Nassau Street near Wilson Street and Rt 171 Georges Road for a fire at Dream Well Inc. Arriving firefighters found fire showing and immediatly called for a 2nd Alarm. With in a few minutes a 4th Alarm was called with fire showing all sides of the building and firefighters set up defensive operations on the large warehouse. Several tanker task forces, strike teams and multiple fire departments are operating on the scene. As of 7:15 p.m. the fire is now reported at 8-Alarms.
Fire departments and water tankers have responded from Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset, Ocean and Burlington Counties.
NJ Public Safety News Alerts
January 24, 2024-Updated January 25, 2024
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Police are continuing to investigate a motor vehicle crash that occurred on January 24th shortly after 6:50am on Route 1 southbound just prior to New Road.
A 2009 Ford, being operated by a 54 year old man from North Brunswick working as an Uber driver, was travelling in the left lane of southbound Route 1 and was approaching New Road, when the driver abruptly changed lanes, striking a 2001 Mack dump truck stopped in traffic, being operated by a 52 year old man from South Brunswick.
The crash left the driver of the Ford in critical condition with serious injuries. His passenger, a 64 year old woman from Franklin Park who had been sitting in the back seat, suffered significant injuries. The driver of the dump truck suffered minor injuries. The occupants of the Ford were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital by ambulance.
Due to the severity of the crash, Route 1 southbound was closed for several hours, causing significant traffic congestion in the area.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact PFC Jesse Blake of the South Brunswick Police Department’s Traffic Bureau at (732)329-4000 x7474.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–South Brunswick Police reported that there was a serious crash on Route 1 near New Road around 6:56 a.m. A Uber Driver ran into the back of a dump truck and both the passenger and driver were seriously injured. South Brunswick Police is investigating the crash.
Serious Crash – Rt 1 South near New Rd. At 6:56 AM, an Uber driver ran into the rear of a dump truck. Uber driver and passenger seriously injured. Traffic investigators remain on scene.#Traffic pic.twitter.com/ebHemkkDqy
— So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) January 24, 2024
January 23, 2024 — Updated
EWING, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing police reported that around 7:11 p.m. tonight January 23, 2024, police responded to a structure fire with reported possible entrapment on Boone Avenue. Several police officers responded and observed flames coming from the residence. Officers attempted to make entry into the residence but were unsuccessful due to heavy smoke and heat. Ewing Fire Department – Station 30, West Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, and Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department responded and quickly extinguished the fire. Upon entry, a single adult victim was located and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A dog was also found deceased by the responding personnel.
Detectives from the Ewing Police Department Detective Bureau and detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the fire. Police say that the cause and origin of the fire is unknown and the case is actively under investigation. The name of the victim is being withheld, pending notification to the next of kin.
Original MidJersey.news story below:
EWING, NJ (MERCER)–Fire officials and law enforcement investigators are currently on the scene investigating the cause of a serious house fire. Ewing Township career firefighters and volunteers from the West Trenton and Prospect Heights fire companies were dispatched at 7:12 p.m. this evening (Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024) to Boone Avenue, a couple blocks from Parkway Avenue, for a reported structure fire with an elderly resident believed to be trapped inside. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to find flames shooting from the front of the house. Hoselines were stretched to attack the flames and firefighters initiated a search of the smoke- and flame-filled house for the trapped resident. One person was reportedly located inside, however details about the extent of that person’s injuries were not immediately available. A ladder company and battalion chief from Trenton Fire Department was also called to the scene to stand by as a rapid intervention team until the fire was declared under control at 7:56 p.m. Investigators from the Ewing Fire Marshal’s Office, Ewing Police, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating.
January 23, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported today that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of a Trenton man.
Mouhamadou Ndiour, 19, is charged with one count of first-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), one count of first-degree possession with the intent to distribute CSAM and one count of second-degree possession of CSAM. The complaint alleges he knowingly possessed and distributed more than 1,000 items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Ndiour pending trial.
Detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit recently received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual in Mercer County was distributing items that portrayed the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child. An investigation was initiated and Ndiour was identified as a subject.
On Thursday, January 18, 2024, members of the Mercer County Tactical Response Team, with assistance from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations Trenton, executed a search warrant at Ndiour’s Trenton residence, where detectives seized multiple items of evidentiary value. Ndiour was taken into custody without incident.
First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
Prosecutor Onofri urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at (609) 989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
