By: Richard L. Smith
A 17-year-old male from Garwood has been charged in connection with a tragic hit-and-run crash that claimed the lives of two juvenile girls earlier this week.
According to a statement released by Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, the teen faces two counts of first-degree murder following the incident on Burnside Avenue in Cranford. Cranford Police Chief Matthew Navarro joined in announcing the charges Wednesday.
The fatal crash happened on Monday, September 29, 2025, just before 5:30 p.m.
Police responding to reports of a vehicle striking pedestrians found two critically injured juveniles at the scene.
Both victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, where they were later pronounced dead.
Following what authorities described as a “comprehensive and extensive investigation,” the alleged driver was identified and taken into custody by investigators with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor Daniel expressed gratitude to the community for assisting with the case.
“We would like to thank the public, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, and the Cranford Police Department for their diligent work,” Daniel said. “We hope this arrest will begin to bring some measure of comfort to the families and loved ones of the victims.”
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Detective Alex Lanza at 908-370-4318 or Cranford Police Detective Jason D’Agostino at 908-276-0171.