By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Middlesex County are investigating a second fatal crash in Woodbridge within just over 24 hours.
According to preliminary information, the violent collision occurred around midnight Friday near the intersection of Gill Lane and Route 1 South. 
Two vehicles reportedly slammed into one another, leaving as many as four occupants trapped inside the wreckage.
The impact caused severe damage to at least one of the vehicles, requiring firefighters to use specialized extrication tools to free the victims.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Several others were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately released.
Officials also confirmed that a dog was killed in the crash.
The cause of the collision remains under active investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Woodbridge Police Department.
The fatal crash follows another deadly incident that occurred late Wednesday night on Route 27 North near Deepa Auto Repair.
In that crash, a 2013 Hyundai Tucson and a 2025 Nissan Altima collided head-on.
Authorities said the Hyundai was driven by a 28-year-old man from Iselin, while the Altima was operated by a 22-year-old woman from Colonia.
The Altima’s 21-year-old front-seat passenger and the Hyundai driver sustained serious injuries and were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment. 
The driver of the Altima was pronounced deceased.
Both collisions remain active and ongoing investigations as officials work to determine the circumstances surrounding the back-to-back tragedies.