TOTOWA, N.J. — Two people were killed and two others, including a 2-year-old child, were injured early Monday morning in a wrong-way head-on collision on Interstate 80 in Totowa, authorities said.
The crash occurred just after 2:00 a.m. on the westbound lanes of I-80 near milepost 54.1, according to New Jersey State Police.
Investigators say a Honda sedan, driven by 30-year-old Albin Fermin of Newark, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when it struck a Buick SUV head-on.
Fermin and 24-year-old Imani Alexis Furman of Norwich, Connecticut, a passenger in the SUV, died from their injuries at the scene, police confirmed.
The driver of the SUV, 60-year-old Joanne Furman, and the couple’s 2-year-old child were transported to a nearby hospital. Joanne Furman was reported to have serious injuries, and the toddler sustained moderate injuries, officials said.
All westbound lanes of I-80 were temporarily closed as first responders worked at the scene, causing significant backups during the early morning commute. Traffic reopened later that morning once the roadway was cleared.
State police continue to investigate the cause of the crash and say no further information has been released at this time.
Facts at a Glance
-
Crash type: Wrong-way head-on collision on I-80 West
-
Location: Totowa, Passaic County, New Jersey
-
Time: ~2:00 a.m., Monday
-
Fatalities: 2 (driver of the Honda; SUV passenger)
-
Injured: SUV driver (serious), 2-year-old (moderate)
-
Investigation: Ongoing by NJ State Police