Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Darren Lavigne of the South Amboy Police Department said police are investigating a fatal head-on collision in which two drivers were killed and three passengers were injured in a crash on Route 9 in South Amboy early this morning.
According to authorities, the deceased motorists were identified as Miguel Mendoza-Chong, 31, of Perth Amboy, who was killed when his vehicle was struck by a minivan driven by Percell Livingston Jr. 51, of East Orange.
Authorities said both men were pronounced dead at the scene following the crash which occurred in the northbound lanes of Route 9 at 2:15 a.m.
The passengers riding with Mendoza-Chong were taken to area hospitals. A 38-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were listed in serious condition at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick authorities said.
The third victim, a 28-year-old woman, was treated at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy Division, and was released.
The crash is being investigated by Officer Stephen Clarke of the South Amboy Police Department and Detective Donald Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The preliminary investigation has determined that Livingston turned onto Route 9 north, but was heading the wrong way when he crashed his 2002 Nissan Quest into Mendoza-Chong’s vehicle, a 2011 Honda Odyssey.
In a statement released by Livingston's son, he stated "The Great Percell Livingston Jr in honor of my Dad has passed away Ressurection Weekend God Has Taken him Up! R.i.P (Crying) . He suffered internal bleeding while telling EMS to help Women and children in other cars".
The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Clarke of the South Amboy Police Department at (732) 721-0111, or Detective Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-8843.