Day: February 9, 2022

Robbinsville Ice Hockey Defeats Notre Dame 4-2

February 9, 2022

WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville-Allentown High School Cooperative Ice Hockey Team defeated Notre Dame with a final score of 4-2 at the Mercer County Skating Center tonight. This win gives Robbinsville the #2 seed in the Mercer County Tournament.

Photo gallery:


Traffic Alert: Car Damages Utility Pole on CR-524 in Upper Freehold Township; Roadway Will be Closed for an Extended Period

February 9, 2022

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 7:49 p.m. the Hope Fire Company of Allentown and Allentown EMS – Capital Health were dispatched to County Road 524 also known as New Canton -Stone Tavern Road for a vehicle into a utility pole. While responding firefighters were notified that the vehicle was on its side and had someone trapped inside. Upon arrival the driver was able to self-extricate on their own power and did not appear to have any serious injuries. Firefighters are currently standing by and fire police have the roadway closed between Old York Road and Sharon Station Road. This appears to be an extended operation due to the damage and amount of wires that the pole has. The New Jersey State Police are investigating the crash.

At 9:00 p.m. JCP&L has arrived, and the Monmouth County Road Department has set up barricades in the area for a detour.

It was only 7 days ago when the roadway was closed between Sharon Station Road and Imlaystown Hightstown Road for an extended time due to a pole cut down on a curve before Tractor Supply near the Westhaven Farm.

Fatal Crash Under Investigation in Edison

February 9, 2022

EDISON, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department announced today that a fatal crash is under investigation.

On February 9, 2022, at 10:17 P.M., authorities responded to the southbound lane of Route 1 in the area of Jeff Street following the report of a crash. Upon their arrival, authorities located one vehicle containing four occupants, which had struck a tree. The driver of the vehicle, Ziyad Elsaedi, 21, of North Plainfield, and the front passenger of the vehicle, were transported to a nearby hospital along with two other critically injured passengers. Elsaedi and the front passenger, whose identity is being withheld pending notification to their next-of-kin, were later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Captain Dominic Masi of the Edison Police Department at (732) 248-7400 or Detective Paul Kelley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3330.

Update 2/11/2022

Passenger in fatal collision identified


Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas
Bryan of the Edison Police Department announced today that Meyvelin Nunez-Lopez, 19, of
Plainfield has been identified as the front-seat passenger
who died in the fatal crash in Edison Township on Sunday night.


Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Toms River

February 9, 2022

TOMS RIVER, NJ (MERCER)–On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at approximately 10:25 PM, police units were dispatched to the intersection of Bay Avenue and Twin Oaks Drive for a reported motor vehicle accident. The initial investigation revealed Ashley Beams, 31 of Toms River, was traveling east on Bay Avenue when she failed to maintain her lane, traveling in the shoulder, and struck a pedestrian who was parked retrieving something from his vehicle. The vehicles travelled approximately 96’ before coming to rest. The victim was pronounced at the scene.

Ms. Beams was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center for treatment of injuries she sustained in the crash. The Ocean County Sheriff Criminal Investigation Unit also assisted at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by Toms River Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Ryan Fitzgerald and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Charges are pending at this time.

The victims name will not be released at this time pending next of kin notification. Please direct further inquiries to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.



Grant Announced for Trenton MOVES Autonomous Vehicle-Based Urban Transit System Project

Innovative System to Promote Transportation Equity and Mobility

February 9, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora today announced a $5 million NJDOT Local Transportation Project Fund Grant for the Trenton Mobility & Opportunity: Vehicles Equity System (MOVES) Project. The grant to the City of Trenton will support the planned start up and eventual deployment of 100 Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) that will provide an on-demand automated transit system to serve the 90,000 residents of Trenton. 

“The Trenton MOVES project is an innovative solution to a longstanding transit deficit in the City of Trenton,” said Governor Murphy. “Using autonomous vehicle technology to combat inequities and to provide improved transportation in urban areas is a laudable and much needed effort. I am excited to see this project moving forward with the help of NJDOT, Mayor Gusciora, and Princeton University.

“Trenton MOVES is about utilizing innovation to sustainably improve the quality of life for a mobility-constrained population,” said NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “This is about equity and access to opportunity for everyone in Trenton.”

“This innovative project has the potential to turn one of Trenton’s greatest weaknesses into one of its biggest strengths,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora.  “Trenton MOVES will put the latest technology at the disposal of seniors, students, state workers and thousands of other residents who will now have a low-cost solution to overcome our well-known transportation challenges. I’m incredibly grateful to Governor Murphy and the NJ Department of Transportation under Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti for this unprecedented investment in the Capital City.”

“This is a great opportunity for the residents of Trenton and students of Trenton Public Schools to increase mobility throughout the city,” said Trenton Public Schools Superintendent James Earle. “We are excited that Trenton MOVES reached out to partner with the district in an effort to include students and their families in the planning and implementation of this initiative. We look forward to the exciting work ahead and the impact that this project will have on our students.”

In Trenton, 70 percent of households only have one car or no car at all. This project will allow residents to utilize to a new form of low cost, environmentally friendly and efficient transportation. The Trenton MOVES project is being developed by the Governor’s Office, NJ Department of Transportation, the City of Trenton, and Princeton University.

NJDOT has offered a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to help gather information from firms in the design, build-out and operation of a safe, equitable, affordable, sustainable, and efficient on-demand automated vehicle shuttle system for Trenton, NJ.

The project goals and specifications of the RFEI are available by accessing this link: Copy of Request for Expression of Interest.

The deadline for the RFEI response is February 25, 2022. NJDOT may issue formal requests for Qualifications or Proposals, following the solicitation of RFEIs. However, responses to the RFEI will not necessarily impact or be connected to the call for Proposals or Qualifications. 


Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News