Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators
Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators A campfire started a massive wildfire that was burning for a third day in Ocean County, authorities said. Investigators determined the wildfire was accidentally started by "an unknown person(s) improperly extinguishing a campfire," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The roughly 189-acre wildfire was burning near Fishers Pit, a sand and gravel pit in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. The fire was first spotted at the Cedar Bridge fire tower at 4:44 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, the New Jersey Forest …
Horses Extricated From Trailer In NJ Turnpike Crash, Firefighters Say Horses Extricated From Trailer In NJ Turnpike Crash, Firefighters Say
Horses Extricated From Trailer In NJ Turnpike Crash, Firefighters Say Several horses were medically treated after the trailers they were being towed in were struck on the New Jersey Turnpike Tuesday, Sept. 10, firefighters said. The Cherry Hill Fire Department said the crash happened in the southbound lanes near milepost 26, and involved a utility van and a truck towing the trailer. "There were no injuries to humans, however the horse trailer had significant damage to the rear door and ramp trapping the horses inside," the fire department said. "To complicate things further, the trailer was disabled and could not be moved off of the highway and one of the hor…
Morris County Man Struck, Killed By Car In West Milford Morris County Man Struck, Killed By Car In West Milford
Morris County Man Struck, Killed By Car In West Milford A 73-year-old man was struck and killed by a car early Tuesday, Sept. 10 in West Milford, authorities said. Mod A. Khader, of Lincoln Park, was trying to cross Route 23 south when he was struck by a vehicle around 6 a.m., Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes West Milford Police Chief James DeVore said. Khader was taken to Chilton Hospital where he died at 8:40 a.m. The vehicle that struck Khader remained at the scene and the investigation remains ongoing. 
LA Fitness Stabbing: Boxcutter-Wielding Suspect From Union County In Custody, Cops Say LA Fitness Stabbing: Boxcutter-Wielding Suspect From Union County In Custody, Cops Say
LA Fitness Stabbing: Boxcutter-Wielding Suspect From Union County In Custody, Cops Say A 22-year-old Scotch Plains resident was arrested and charged on Monday, Sept. 9, with attempted murder after he stabbed another man with a boxcutter at an LA Fitness in Clark on Sunday, authorities said. Officers responded to the LA Fitness at 1255 Raritan Rd. and located the victim, while the perpetrator, Antonio Lampon, fled from the scene before law enforcement arrived, Clark police said in a release. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released, police said. Lampon was charged with attempted murder, multiple counts of aggravated assault and multiple…
Motorcyclist, 37, Killed In Route 17 Crash In Bergen County Motorcyclist, 37, Killed In Route 17 Crash In Bergen County
Motorcyclist, 37, Killed In Route 17 Crash In Bergen County A 37-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Route 17 in Bergen County on Tuesday, Sept. 10, police said. Police responding to multiple 911 calls of a motorcyclist down on the southbound side of the highway near the Essex Street ramp in Maywood found the operator unresponsive and not breathing just before 10:30 a.m., Maywood Police Detective Sgt. William Phayre said. The motorcyclist had collided with another vehicle, causing it to veer off the roadway into a grass median, Phayre said citing findings of the investigation. The driver of the second vehicle remained on scene. …
Smoke Diminshes As Crews Begin Containing Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood (UPDATE) Smoke Diminshes As Crews Begin Containing Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood (UPDATE)
Smoke Diminshes As Crews Begin Containing Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood (Update) Smoke has diminished as a massive wildfire burned for a second day in Ocean County, officials said. The fire was first spotted at the Cedar Bridge fire tower at 4:44 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in an update. The roughly 189-acre wildfire was burning near Fishers Pit, a sand and gravel pit in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. Conditions have improved after "erratic fire behavior" caused problems for the first firefighters at the scene. "Fire crews continue to secure and reinforce containment lines by mopping up hot …
Crews Battle 150-Acre Wildfire Across Ocean County (DEVELOPING) Crews Battle 150-Acre Wildfire Across Ocean County (DEVELOPING)
Crews Battle 150-Acre Wildfire Across Ocean County (Developing) Firefighters were battling a massive wildfire in Ocean County that broke out late Monday, Sept. 9, officials said. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire was burning near Fishers Pit, a sand and gravel pit in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. The NJFFS first posted on Twitter about the wildfire at 7:30 p.m. Monday. As of Tuesday morning, the fire had been 20 percent contained to 150 acres, after spreading near Northern Boulevard in the Barnegat Pines neighborhood of Berkeley. "When firefighters arrived on scene initial attack efforts were unsuccessful due to erratic…
Arrangements Set, Obituary Posted For Fairfield Officer James 'Jimmy' Ciampi Arrangements Set, Obituary Posted For Fairfield Officer James 'Jimmy' Ciampi
Arrangements Set, Obituary Posted For Fairfield Officer James 'Jimmy' Ciampi Arrangements have been finalized for Fairfield Police Officer James "Jimmy" Ciampi, who died Monday, Sept. 9, following a battle with cancer. He would have turned 32 in October. According to his obituary on the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home website, visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 12 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home in Fairfield. The funeral will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at the funeral home, with a Funeral Mass set for 10 a.m., at the St. Thomas More R.C. Church. Ciampi graduated from West Essex High School before earning his bachelor's from Rutgers University…
Sidewalk Save: Bodycam Footage Shows NJ Officers Saving Choking Baby Sidewalk Save: Bodycam Footage Shows NJ Officers Saving Choking Baby
Sidewalk Save: Bodycam Footage Shows NJ Officers Saving Choking Baby Newly-released body-worn camera footage shows two New Jersey police officers saving a choking baby. Hightstown Officers Daniel Abbatemarco and Kenneth Larsen responded to a call of a choking baby girl on March 31. Upon arrival, they were met by a man holding the girl. Larsen arrived on scene and quickly performed the Infant Heimlich Maneuver on the girl, who was breathing again in a matter of seconds. Meanwhile, Abbatemarco and Larsen comforted the man holding her and a woman crying at the scene. "She's breathing, she's clear," the officers say. "Let's let out a cry sweetheart!" …
DUI Driver Wrecks Route 78 Memorial For Trooper Killed By Car, Police Say DUI Driver Wrecks Route 78 Memorial For Trooper Killed By Car, Police Say
DUI Driver Wrecks Route 78 Memorial For Trooper Killed By Car, Police Say A 38-year-old man is facing charges after police say he wrecked a roadside memorial for a fallen trooper along Route 78 last month while driving under the influence. David Neufield, of Berkeley Heights, was found inside of the vehicle that had struck the memorial for NJSP Trooper Thomas Hanratty at milepost 46.8 in Summit around 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, State Police said. Arriving troopers saw Summit firefighters conducting first-aid on Neufield, who was taken to a nearby hospital before he was arrested and charged with various drug offenses, including DUI. Police also said drugs were foun…
Former West New York Police Officer Johnny Lara Dies, 53 Former West New York Police Officer Johnny Lara Dies, 53
Former West New York Police Officer Johnny Lara Dies, 53 Johnny A. Lara, a former West New York resident and police officer, died on Wednesday, Sept. 4. He was 53 years old. Lara was born in Colombia and grew up in West New York, having served as a police officer before retiring and moving to Houston TX, according to his obituary on the Barquin Funeral Home website. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Valderramos Lara; their children Brandon, Bella and Jeremy Lara; his mother Emma J. Lara; and his siblings, Rosario Crabtree, Jimmy and Sammy Lara. Lara was preceded in death by his father, Marcelino and his brother Henry Lara. Servic…
Motorcyclist Killed, Dirt Biker Seriously Injured In Garden State Parkway Crash (UPDATE) Motorcyclist Killed, Dirt Biker Seriously Injured In Garden State Parkway Crash (UPDATE)
Motorcyclist Killed, Dirt Biker Seriously Injured In Garden State Parkway Crash (Update) A 26-year-old motorcyclist was killed and a 49-year-old dirt bike operator was seriously injured in a crash Sunday, Sept. 8 on the Garden State Parkway in Toms River, authorities said. Antonio Caprara, 26, of Beachwood, was heading south on the right shoulder while Lenny Ritorto, of Toms River, was heading south on the acceleration lane from the Exit 81 entrance ramp when the two collided near milepost 81.7 around 1 p.m., New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. Both vehicles overturned and both Caprara and Ritorto were thrown from their bikes, Lebron said. Caprara died while&…
Tree Destroys House In Wyckoff Tree Destroys House In Wyckoff
Tree Destroys House In Wyckoff A Wyckoff home was destroyed by a tree that came crashing through during a quick-hitting storm on Saturday, Sept. 7. It happened just before 4: 30 p.m. on Monroe Avenue, when strong winds and rain swept through the region. Photos shared by Boyd A. Loving show the damage to the ranch-style home. No injuries were reported, but the home appeared to have been rendered uninhabitable, Loving said. The Wyckoff PD, Wyckoff FD, and Waldwick FD responded. Click here for more photos from Boyd A. Loving.
Sidewalk Pedestrian Airlifted After Being Struck By Man With History Of Careless Driving In NJ Sidewalk Pedestrian Airlifted After Being Struck By Man With History Of Careless Driving In NJ
Sidewalk Pedestrian Airlifted After Being Struck By Man With History Of Careless Driving In NJ A woman was flown to the hospital after a careless driver drove onto the sidewalk and struck her while she was walking her dog in an Ocean County town on Friday, Sept. 6, police said. Eugenio Carta of Berkeley Township was operating a 1999 Buick Sedan when he drove off the roadway, struck the victim walking her dog on the sidewalk, then came to rest after hitting a tree around 3 p.m. at the intersection on Doral Drive at Cohansey Drive, local police said. The woman suffered a head injury from the crash and was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center where she was in critical but stable con…
Paterson Car Thief Bails On Fort Lee Friend After Pursuit-Crash In Pompton Lakes: Police Paterson Car Thief Bails On Fort Lee Friend After Pursuit-Crash In Pompton Lakes: Police
Paterson Car Thief Bails On Fort Lee Friend After Pursuit-Crash In Pompton Lakes: Police Two car thieves were in custody after the driver led a pursuit and crashed, leaving his pal at the scene in Morris County this week, police said. On Wednesday, Sept. 4 around 1:45 a.m., Pompton Lakes Patrolman Collins was on duty when he spotted a 2023 Toyota Corolla that had been reported stolen the night before, police said in a news release. The vehicle was occupied by two individuals later identified as Dakota Cirelli, 24, of Paterson and Dilayda Aksoy, 22, of Fort Lee, and fled toward Watervliet and Albany avenues when they noticed police were after them. The vehicle cr…
Motorcyclist Hospitalized In Route 80 Crash (PHOTOS) Motorcyclist Hospitalized In Route 80 Crash (PHOTOS)
Motorcyclist Hospitalized In Route 80 Crash (Photos) A motorcyclist was hospitalized in a crash on Route 80 Friday, Sept. 6, firefighters said. The crash between the bike and a passenger vehicle happened in the westbound lanes just before exit 64B in Hackensack, the city's fire department said. Today Engine 1, Engine 2, Rescue 1 and Deputy 3 responded to Route 80 West just prior to exit 64B on a reported... Posted by City of Hackensack Fire Department on Friday, September 6, 2024 Today Engine 1, Engine 2, Rescue 1 and Deputy 3 responded to Route 80 West just prior to exit 64B on a reported... Posted by City of Hackensack Fire Dep…
Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals
Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals A New Jersey fugitive wanted in a deadly train station shooting and a home invasion was arrested in northeastern Pennsylvania, authorities said. U.S. Marshals took 19-year-old Damian Bass into custody, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 6. Bass' last known address was in Fanwood. Bass was charged with first-degree murder and two weapons offenses. He was accused of shooting and killing 43-year-old James Hailey of Newark. Marshals from Brooklyn, NY, and Scranton captured Bass in Chestnuthill Township, PA, on Thursday, Sept. 5. "We s…
Neighbors Evacuated In 22-Hour Standoff With Armed Man In Essex County: Police Neighbors Evacuated In 22-Hour Standoff With Armed Man In Essex County: Police
Neighbors Evacuated In 22-Hour Standoff With Armed Man In Essex County: Police A 34-year-old barricaded Irvington man was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 5 after a standoff that lasted nearly 24 hours, authorities said. At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, Irvington police responded to the 300 block of Nesbit Terrace on a report of an armed person and encountered Karim Brunson, who proceeded to barricade himself in the home, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II and Irvington Public Safety Director Tracy Bowers said. Irvington officers secured the area and received assistance from the Sheriff’s Tactical Response Team, Stephen and Bowers said. Trained negotiators …
Stunning Video Shows Route 55 Wrong-Way Driver Before Deadly NJ Wreck: Report Stunning Video Shows Route 55 Wrong-Way Driver Before Deadly NJ Wreck: Report
Stunning Video Shows Route 55 Wrong-Way Driver Before Deadly NJ Wreck: Report A 62-year-old man from Philadelphia and a 53-year-old woman from Deptford were killed in a head-on crash in Gloucester County, authorities said. Footage being circulated on social media and obtained by 6abc shows a driver identified by police as Stanley Kahana driving the wrong way for several seconds before slamming head-on into another motorist on Route 55 on Thursday, Sept. 5. According to NJSP, Kahana, 62, of Philadelphia, was heading south on the roadway when he crossed into the northbound lanes and continued driving south just before 9 a.m. Kahana eventually struck a northbound …
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom, Cousin Night Before Bergen County Wedding Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom, Cousin Night Before Bergen County Wedding
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom, Cousin Night Before Bergen County Wedding A weekend that would've been one of the happiest for the families of Kirk Walker and Shauntea Weaver ended in tragedy. The pair were set to marry on Sunday, Aug. 25 at The Royal Manor in Garfield. But early Saturday morning, Aug. 24, Walker, 38, and his cousin, Robert "Todd" McLaurin, 40, were killed by a wrong-way driver on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City, according to loved ones and the NYPD.  As of Thursday, Sept. 5, more than $31,900 had been raised on a GoFundMe for Weaver, whose Facebook page says she is a nurse who lives in Teaneck. According to the campaign launched…
Paramus Bank Burglar Torches Paterson DPW Building Hours After Release: Police Paramus Bank Burglar Torches Paterson DPW Building Hours After Release: Police
Paramus Bank Burglar Torches Paterson DPW Building Hours After Release: Police A 32-year-old New York man arrested for faking a slashing while burglarizing a Paramus bank set fire to a DPW building in Paterson hours after being released, Daily Voice has learned. Jonathan Gardner, of Canastota and Schenectady, was captured on video pouring gasoline on a structure behind the DPW building on 800 Broadway (Pennington Park) in Paterson just after 1 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, a spokesperson from the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said.  He was found sitting near the scene and was lodged in the Bergen County Jail on charges of aggravated arson, burglary, a…
Paterson Getaway Driver Charged In Armed Wristwatch Robbery, Shooting: Police Paterson Getaway Driver Charged In Armed Wristwatch Robbery, Shooting: Police
Paterson Getaway Driver Charged In Armed Wristwatch Robbery, Shooting: Police Two men have been arrested in a shooting robbery in which the assailants fled the scene in a Route 17 parking lot parking lot onto Route 80, where one fired shots at the victim's vehicle following them authorities said. Shaheem A. Clark, 19, of Elmwood Park, has been identified as the gunman, while Jaquil M. Brown, 29, of Paterson,  was the getaway driver in the Sunday, July 21 incident that happened around 11:25 p.m., Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. According to Musella, a group of friends had left a business on Route 17 in Lodi and got into a vehicle when a man on fo…
Fleeing Driver, 24, Pins Victim Against Car She Struck In Bergen County: Police Fleeing Driver, 24, Pins Victim Against Car She Struck In Bergen County: Police
Fleeing Driver, 24, Pins Victim Against Car She Struck In Bergen County: Police A 24-year-old woman has been arrested after police say she pinned a pedestrian between her car and a vehicle she'd struck while trying to flee the scene on Labor Day in Bergen County. Ashley Elizabeth Ann Flores, of Garfield, had struck a parked vehicle on Outwater Lane near Wilson Street around 10:20 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. While driving away in a white Jeep, Flores "drove her car into the victim who was on foot, pinning him between her car and the vehicle she just struck," Musella said. The victim was hospitalized with a serious leg injury. F…
Driver Hospitalized In Route 287 Rollover Crash: Police (UPDATE) Driver Hospitalized In Route 287 Rollover Crash: Police (UPDATE)
Driver Hospitalized In Route 287 Rollover Crash: Police (Update) One person was hospitalized in a rollover crash on Route 287 Wednesday morning, Sept. 4, authorities said. A motorist was heading south when the driver lost control, struck a guardrail, and overturned near milepost 61.4 in Franklin Lakes just before 10 a.m., a spokesperson for New Jersey State Police said. The driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Bayonne Motorcyclist Killed In Route 78 Crash: NJSP Bayonne Motorcyclist Killed In Route 78 Crash: NJSP
Bayonne Motorcyclist Killed In Route 78 Crash: Njsp A 35-year-old Bayonne man was killed after his motorcycle overturned on Route 78 in Hunterdon County on Tuesday evening, Sept. 3, authorities said. At 11:47 p.m., Raquan Hicks was traveling east on Route 78 in Union Township when his Harley-Davidson veered off the roadway to the left, reentered the road and overturned, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. R.i.p Raquan T. Hicks (rocky) you will be missed 💔💔 Posted by Danica McRae on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 During the crash, Hicks was ejected and struck the guardrail and sustained fatal injuries, Leb…
Competing Theft Crews Call 911, Everyone Ends Up Arrested In Wayne: Police Competing Theft Crews Call 911, Everyone Ends Up Arrested In Wayne: Police
Competing Theft Crews Call 911, Everyone Ends Up Arrested In Wayne: Police Five would-be package thieves from separate crews were arrested in Wayne after plans to beat out their competition last week in Wayne went awry, authorities said. Police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a burglary in progress at a hoem on Ratzer Road around 3:50 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, Wayne Police Capt. Dan Daly said. The caller said that two men were in his garage and one was in his backyard. He then said that the men fled and were in a black sedan on Kievit Road. The caller also told police that the suspect vehicle was a Honda. While responding officers found two black sedans on Kiev…
Man Had 5-6 Beers, Drank While Driving In NJ Crash That Killed NHL Star, Brother: Affidavit Man Had 5-6 Beers, Drank While Driving In NJ Crash That Killed NHL Star, Brother: Affidavit
Man Had 5-6 Beers, Drank While Driving In NJ Crash That Killed NHL Star, Brother: Affidavit A Woodstown man reportedly admitted to having about a half-dozen beers before the crash that killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, arrest records said. Sean Higgins, 43, was facing several charges including two counts of assault by auto, according to court records. He was accused of striking the NHL star and his brother while they were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township on Thursday, Aug. 29. Investigators said the Gaudreaus were on bikes close to the fog line on the north side of County Route 551. Higgins tried to pass a car and SUV while also traveling north in a black Jeep G…
Firearm, High Capacity Mag Found On Paterson Man Hiding In Elmwood Park Bushes: Police Firearm, High Capacity Mag Found On Paterson Man Hiding In Elmwood Park Bushes: Police
Firearm, High Capacity Mag Found On Paterson Man Hiding In Elmwood Park Bushes: Police An 18-year-old Paterson man hiding in bushes in Elmwood Park was found with a firearm, high capacity magazine, and hollow point bullets, police said. Jhirmane Parks and three other unidentified males had brought police to Elmwood Court around 1:20 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, Elmwood Park Police Chief Michael Foligno said. Officers began canvassing the area, and it wasn't long before they found the group in the Lidl parking lot on Broadway, the chief said. While three of the males escaped police, officers were able to apprehend Parks, who Foligno said was found with a Taurus 9mm handgun, hi…
Passaic Man Tries Defecating On School Property After Slashing Van's Tires: Police Passaic Man Tries Defecating On School Property After Slashing Van's Tires: Police
Passaic Man Tries Defecating On School Property After Slashing Van's Tires: Police A 73-year-old Passaic man has been arrested after police say he slashed multiple vehicle tires at a school in Maywood. Thomas W. Donlen is responsible for slashing all four times on a school vehicle at the South Bergen Jointure School on Maywood Avenue in September 2023, Maywood Police Detective Sgt. William Phayre said. Then, on Aug. 19, he slashed the tires of the same vehicle on Aug. 19, police said. The total amount of damage to the van was determined to be $1,500. Detective Brian Rubio gathered evidence and surveillance footage from the school which placed Donlen at the scene.&nb…
Unlicensed Operator Busted On Stolen Moped In Bergen County, Police Say Unlicensed Operator Busted On Stolen Moped In Bergen County, Police Say
Unlicensed Operator Busted On Stolen Moped In Bergen County, Police Say A 41-year-old Irvington man is facing charges out of Lyndhurst for operating a stolen moped without a license, police said. Lt. Paul Haggerty saw the gas-powered moped operating without a license plate at Riverside and Post Avenues just before 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 2, Lyndhurst Police Detective Lt. Vincent Auteri said. Haggerty followed the moped and stopped it, then asked the operator, identified as Mario Franseca, for his credentials, police said. That's when Franseca told him that he did not have a driver’s license nor did he have any proof of registration or insurance, according…
NY Man Fakes Slashing To Burglarize Route 17 Bank, Police Say NY Man Fakes Slashing To Burglarize Route 17 Bank, Police Say
NY Man Fakes Slashing To Burglarize Route 17 Bank, Police Say A 32-year-old New York man is facing charges in Paramus, NJ for pretending he was held at knifepoint in one location when, in fact, he was burglarizing another, police said. Officers were called to the Dunkin parking lot at 492 Route 17 North on Sunday, Sept. 1 where Jonathan Gardner, of Canastota, NY, had told authorities he was being held at knifepoint and suffered a slash to his arm while defending himself from an attacker, Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti said. ALSO SEE: Paramus Bank Burglar Torches Paterson DPW Building Hours After Release Officers Matt Orefice and Kevin Grad…