FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737

EMAIL:  rworrall@hcpo.org

DATE: Saturday, March 14, 2020

ONE MAN DEAD IN KEARNY MULTI-VEHICLE COLLISION; DRIVER WITH SUSPENDED LICENSE CHARGED

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Friday, March 13, 2020, at approximately 6:30 p.m., members of the Kearny Police Department responded to the area of 1806 Harrison Avenue in Kearny on reports of a collision. Upon arrival, responding officers found a multi-vehicle collision involving multiple injured individuals.

The initial investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Kearny Police Department determined that a 2017 Nissan Altima traveling west on Harrison Avenue struck an eastbound 2018 Kia Soul causing the vehicle to veer into westbound lanes where it was struck by a 2009 Freightliner truck (cab only).

Vance Caswell, age 26 of Newark, who was a passenger in the Kia, was transported by Emergency Medical Services to St. Michael’s Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:40 p.m. The cause and manner of death are pending an investigation by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

The drivers of both the Kia and the Freightliner sustained non-life threatening injuries. They were transported by EMS to University Hospital where they were treated and later released.

The driver of the Nissan Altima, William Frazier, age 53, of Newark, has been arrested and charged with Causing a Death While Driving with a Suspended License in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:40-22a, a third-degree crime. He was also charged with Driving While Intoxicated, a motor vehicle violation. Additional charges and summonses may be pending.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Kearny Police Department with the investigation and the arrest.

The events surrounding the collision remain under investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit with assistance from the Kearny Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.

The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).