By Karen Zautyk
KEARNY –
A Jersey City man was killed and four other people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash May 6 at Rts. 1-9 and Hackensack Ave. in South Kearny. Police said it took seven hours to clear the site of the accident, which is still under investigation.
According to Sgt. John Taylor of the Kearny Police Department, at about 7 p.m., a 2004 GMC Envoy was traveling south in the slow lane of 1-9 when the driver, a 38-year-old Elmwood Park man, somehow lost control of the SUV. The Envoy apparently sideswiped a 2011 Toyota Camry in the center lane, and both vehicles went through the Hackensack Ave. intersection, crossing into northbound traffic.
The Envoy smashed headon into a 1994 Ford Bronco, killing its driver, then hit a northbound 1998 Nissan Altima and finally came to rest on its side.
The Bronco driver, identified as Isaac Miller, 40, of Jersey City, had to be extricated from the vehicle by police and was pronounced dead at University Hospital, Newark. His passenger, Donnie Gallon, 50, of Jersey City, suffered head, arm and leg injuries, police said.
Also injured and taken to the hospital were the other three motorists, who included a 40-year-old Jersey City man driving the Altima, and the Camry driver, a 37-yearold man from Spring Valley, N.Y. Aside from Miller, the motorists were alone in their vehicles, police said.
The Kearny Fire Department also responded to the scene, utilizing its new engine that has been assigned to the South Kearny fire station and is equipped with a state-of-the-art Jaws of Life, used to remove victims from the wreck. Fire Chief Steve Dyl noted that it was the first official day in service for the new vehicle.
The Kearny EMS, which transported all the victims to the hospital, was commended by Dyl for its work.
The Kearny PD is handling the investigation into the cause of the crash and it has impounded the Envoy. At last report, no charges had yet been filed.
Taylor said the accident scene was not cleared until 2 the following morning.
