Paramus, NJ – Two Killed in Wrong-way Crash on Garden State Pkwy

Paramus, NJ (July 7, 2024) – Two people were killed and another injured following a wrong-way collision in the Paramus area on Friday, July 5. The fatal accident was reported early that morning around 2:30 a.m. on Garden State Parkway near mile marker 163.4. Local reports revealed that a Honda sedan was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the highway when it collided head-on with a Toyota sport utility vehicle. 

Emergency crews were rushed to the scene to provide the necessary support. The driver of the Honda, 38-year-old Diana J. Cruz, and the driver of the Toyota, 55-year-old Sunday T. Ogundare, suffered fatal injuries in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene. Both victims were Newark residents. A 20-year-old passenger in the Toyota was also injured and hospitalized for treatment. It is unknown what caused Cruz to enter the wrong side of the highway at this time. An ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash is being managed by local law enforcement officials. 

We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased victims at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victim and their family in hopes of a full recovery. 

Deadly Wrong-Way Collisions in New Jersey

Drivers who travel in the wrong direction on the road are an active threat. In most cases, wrong-way drivers are intoxicated. In the United States, there were 2,008 fatalities from wrong-way driving collisions on highways during a recent three-year study. This is an estimated 500 related fatalities each year. This is a nearly 34 percent increase from the 375 wrong-way fatalities reported annually earlier in the decade. On divided highways, wrong-way collisions are especially risky since they frequently result in head-on collisions. The number of these catastrophic collisions is on the rise. If someone close to you is killed in a collision, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim with the help of a qualified Paramus wrongful death lawyer. The legal team at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq is ready to fight for you. Contact our offices today at (800) 923-3456. 

Notes: Our accident news pieces utilize secondary sources like police and fire accident reports, news articles, and eyewitness testimonies. We have not independently verified this information at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq. If you find inaccuracies, please contact us for correction. To request post-removal, please inform us, and we will promptly comply.

Disclaimer: This content is not a business solicitation, and none of the information provided should be construed as legal or medical advice. Additionally, the featured image in this post is not from the actual accident scene.