Police in Elizabeth are investigating an early morning crash that left a 20-year-old in critical condition in the city.
Police were called to respond to the area of North Avenue and Adams Avenue around 2:18 this morning, Lt. Daniel Saulnier said.
Upon arrival, police found a 2000 Honda Odyssey van and a 2007 Nissan Altima that had been involved in a motor vehicle accident.
The 20-year-old driver of the Nissan Altima, an Elizabeth resident, suffered a head injury and was taken to University Hospital in Newark, according to the lieutenant.
The driver of the Honda fled the scene, Saulnier added.
As police continued the investigation, they discovered that Honda had been carjacked from the area of 7th Street and First Avenue at approximately 1:45 a.m.
At 4:00 a.m. a 37-year-old Elizabeth man, owner of the van, arrived at the accident scene and told police that he was sitting in his car when he was approached by a dark skinned male who demanded money from him, Saulnier said.
The suspect then pulled the owner from the vehicle, assaulted him and stole the victim's van.
The suspect was allegedly accompanied by two dark-skinned females, according to the victim.
The owner of the vehicle received minor injuries and refused medical treatment, according to report.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective David Conrad at 908-558-2050.
The Union County Police Accident Investigation Team assisted Elizabeth Police with the accident investigation.