Linden - Police say at approximately 2:15 A.M. on Monday, Linden Police and Fire units responded to reports of a motor vehicle collision on Route 1 at the intersection of Pleasant Street, initial reports indicate that a 2017 Acura RDX was traveling north on Route 1 when it collided with a 2007 International trailer cab that was traveling north in the center lane.
The Acura overturned following the collision, and both occupants were seriously injured.
Both occupants were treated on scene by Linden Fire Department personnel and transported to Newark University Hospital in serious condition.
One victim, a 30-year-old Hillside resident, was later pronounced deceased.
The deceased was later identified by Hillside officials as off-duty Hillside Police Officer Giovanni Esposito. The second victim, a 29-year-old Colonia resident, remains in serious condition.
The driver of the tractor was not injured.
Police say Route 1 was closed in both directions between S. Stiles Street and Grand Avenue in Rahway for most of the morning commute.
Police say northbojnd lanes were reopened at about 8:45 A.M., however, southbound lanes remained closed until about 10:45 A.M.
The accident remains under investigation by the Linden Police Department Traffic Bureau, and anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Inv. Jimmy Solano at (908) 474-8505.