DWI Charges In Fatal Wayne Crash

WAYNE, N.J. — A Pompton Plains man was drunk when his car crossed the center line Thursday afternoon and smashed into an SUV, killing its driver, police said.

The GMC Jimmy caught fire in the crash.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Molina*

The GMC driver, 63-year-old Paul J. Amarose of Oak Ridge, was pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Molina*

Wayne police, firefighters and EMS responded.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Molina*

Wayne police asked that anyone who witnessed the crash call them: (973) 633-3520
Photo Credit: *Nicole Molina*

Joshua Jongsma

10/23/2015 10:30 p.m.

Paul J. Amarose, 63, of Oak Ridge, was pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson just before 8 p.m., nearly 3½ hours after the crash on Newark Pompton Turnpike, Wayne Police Capt. Laurence W. Martin said.

Jeffrey A. Afflitto, 31, was headed south when his 2013 Acura TSX slammed into Amarose's 1997 GMC Jimmy, which caught fire, he said.

Afflitto was also taken to St. Joe's in police custody.

Authorities initially charged him with DWI, among other motor vehicle offenses, Martin said. More serious criminal charges from the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office were pending.

The captain asked that anyone who witnessed the crash call Wayne police: (973) 633-3520.

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