NEW BRUNSWICK – A North Brunswick man was one of two people killed when their vehicle drove into the Raritan River.
Around 12:56 a.m. on July 25, the New Brunswick Police Department received a report of a single car motor vehicle crash in the area of Route 18 north, just past the exit ramp for Route 27.
Upon arrival, officers found a 2009 Honda Accord, which went through a wooded area and landed partially submerged in the Raritan River, according to a statement prepared by the New Brunswick Police Department.
The driver, Robert J. Veras-Toribio, 22, of North Brunswick, was found unresponsive and unconscious just outside the vehicle. He was located by friends and officers, who arrived on scene and began to administer CPR. Medic units arrived and shortly after he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The passenger, Kelvin Lantigua, 21, of New Brunswick, was located in the vehicle. He was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
The preliminary investigation indicates the driver was traveling on Route 18 north when he lost control of the vehicle, which left the roadway and struck a guardrail, eventually landing in the river. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, according to the statement.
The New Brunswick Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted with clearing the wooded area and gaining access to the vehicle.
Anyone with information should contact Patrolman Sean Cahill of the New Brunswick Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit at 732-745-5005.
