Day: December 2, 2023

Mercer County, Trenton

2-Alarm Fire With Multiple Injuries Reported at Trent Center West

December 2, 2023

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Several people were critically injured by a two-alarm fire that damaged at least one apartment and sent smoke to the upper floors of a high rise building this afternoon (Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023). 

Exact details of how many people were hurt were not immediately available but radio traffic from the incident commander and other emergency personnel on scene indicated that at least three victims went into cardiac arrest at the scene and were rushed to area hospitals. A victim with severe burns was also reported, however it was unclear if that person was among the three said to have gone into cardiac arrest. 

Several Trenton fire companies were already busy on other assignments  when the blaze at the 15-story Trent Center West apartment building at 465 Greenwood Avenue was reported about 1:25 p.m. and Engines 3, 10, and 6, Ladders 2 and 4, Rescue 1, and Battalion 7 were dispatched. Engine 1, Special Services 2 and Battalion 3 were then dispatched as the balance of the first alarm after first-due firefighters arrived and confirmed a working fire on the first floor.

At 1:52 p.m. a second alarm was transmitted which sent Ladder 1 to the scene, along with a mutual aid ladder company from Hamilton, an engine company from Lawrence and Signal 22.

Capital Health paramedics and Trenton EMS personnel called for mutual aid ambulances from Ewing, Hamilton, and elsewhere to help treat and transport as firefighters located victims amid the smoke and carried them outside. At least one firefighter reportedly suffered a minor injury and was treated on scene.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire but with smoke having spread all the way to the upper floors it took considerable time to check all floors and evacuate residents from the most smoke-filled areas. Several additional victims were reportedly located on upper floors and assisted down to the lobby and outside. A large crowd of displaced residents gathered in the parking lot and watched while emergency personnel worked.  The fire was officially declared under control at 2:57 p.m. City, county and state fire and law enforcement investigators were still on the scene as of 5 p.m. probing the cause of the blaze.

Photos below: Anthony Greco

Colts Neck, Monmouth County

Former Youth Tennis Instructor Sentenced to 56.5 Years in Prison for Sexual Crimes Against a Student

December 2, 2023

FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH) – The former youth tennis instructor recently convicted at trial of numerous sexual crimes committed against a student has been sentenced to 56 ½ years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Saturday.  

Terry Y. Kuo, 32, of Colts Neck must serve a minimum of 85 percent of that term before the possibility of parole under the provisions of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA), according to the terms set down during a sentencing hearing by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jill G. O’Malley.

The case stemmed from an investigation initiated after one of Kuo’s students alleged that he had engaged in various instances of sexual misconduct on multiple occasions from August 2016 through November 2017, starting when she was 12. A subsequent investigation conducted by members of the Marlboro Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau and Computer Crimes Unit resulted in the recovery of digital files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the defendant’s electronic devices, as well as evidence of sexual crimes committed against the victim.

Leveraging the digital and physical evidence, as well as witness testimony – including from the victim – the State proved that Kuo showered her with increasingly pricey gifts such as expensive electronics, jewelry, and designer clothing and accessories while coercing her into engaging in sexual activity with him.

Kuo was arrested in Marlboro in November 2017 and initially indicted in February 2018. Superseding indictments were filed upon the recovery and review of additional evidence, in December 2018 and January 2023, before the trial began in September.  

In all, the jury found Kuo guilty of two counts of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, first-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child via Manufacture of Child Sexual Abuse Materials, first-degree Kidnapping, three counts of second-degree Sexual Assault, second-degree Endangering via Manufacture of Child Sexual Abuse Materials, third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, third-degree Endangering via Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials, third-degree Endangering via Engaging in Sexual Conduct, third-degree Obscenity, fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact, and fourth-degree Conspiracy to Commit Evidence Tampering.

O’Malley denied Kuo’s motion for a new trial before sentencing him on Friday. Kuo will be 72 by the time he becomes eligible for parole, after which he will be subject to Parole Supervision for Life, registration as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, and a permanent restraining order barring him from any direct or indirect contact with the victim.

This case was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Ryan Lavender and Kristen Anastos.

Kuo was represented at trial by Joshua Nahum, Esq., with an office in Millburn.

Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
Mercer County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville

Truck Crash Closes NJ Turnpike North Bound Outer Lanes in Robbinsville North of 7A

December 2, 2023

Update: The roadway has reopened and there are no reported traffic delays in the area as of 10:44 a.m.

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Around 7:16 a.m. the Robbinsville Township Fire Department, EMS and NJ State Police responded to the outer lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike near mile post 64 for an overturned tractor trailer. Upon arrival firefighters found the outer roadway of the NJ Turnpike was completely blocked. EMS reported that there were no serious injuries. Firefighters and NJ State Police are still on scene waiting for heavy duty tow trucks and a crane to upright the vehicle.

Expect the outer lane of the New Jersey Turnpike north of Exit 7A in Robbinsville Township to be closed this morning until the tuck can be removed from the roadway. As of the time of this report the roadway was completely impassable and numerous cars, trucks and busses on the outer roadway were stuck in a 3-mile delay because of the crash.