By: Richard L. Smith
A tragic and violent crash in Edison claimed the life of a 77-year-old Metuchen woman Monday afternoon, following a chain-reaction collision that involved six vehicles at a busy township intersection.
RLS Media first brought you this story approximately 30 minutes after the crash occurred.
When our team arrived, the scene at New Durham Road and Talmadge Road was deeply disturbing — twisted metal, shattered debris, and first responders working urgently in what quickly became a fatal investigation.
As we always strive to do, we were on scene providing real-time updates as the situation unfolded.
According to information sent by the Edison Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:44 p.m. on March 2, 2026, to reports of a serious motor vehicle crash in the area.
A preliminary investigation determined that a 2016 Buick Enclave was traveling eastbound on New Durham Road when it suddenly left the roadway at a high rate of speed.
Authorities say the vehicle became airborne, entered Talmadge Road, and collided with a flatbed tractor-trailer that was traveling through the intersection at that time.
The impact was catastrophic. The Buick became lodged underneath the trailer, sustaining extreme damage.
The driver, identified as a 77-year-old woman from Metuchen, was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 3:24 p.m.
Police said the force of the collision pushed the tractor-trailer into four additional vehicles, triggering secondary crashes.
One of the involved drivers was transported to JFK Medical Center for treatment of minor head and leg injuries. No other serious injuries were reported.
Investigators believe a medical episode may have contributed to the Buick driver losing control prior to the collision.
Based on the evidence gathered so far, authorities do not consider the crash criminal in nature, and no charges are expected at this time. Next-of-kin notifications have been made.
The investigation remains ongoing and is being led by the Edison Police Department’s Serious Crash Investigation Team. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Mike Winters at (732) 404-8673.