By: Richard L. Smith
Essex County officials reported today that an investigation is underway into a fatal motor vehicle crash claimed the life of a woman on Route 21 in Newark.
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said that on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Newark Police Division received 911 calls reporting a single-vehicle crash in the area of Route 21 north bound near Riverside Avenue.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle left the roadway, became airborne over a guardrail, and fell from the elevated roadway before overturning and landing on Riverside Avenue.
According to Prosecutor Stephens II , the driver, identified as Estefania Dilone, 25, of Kearny, was trapped inside the vehicle and had to be extricated.
She was transported to University Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at 2:55 a.m.
A passenger in the vehicle was also transported to University Hospital and sustained minor facial fractures.
This remains an open and active investigation. No additional information is available at this time.