Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio are reporting two separate fatalities in the City of Newark :
The first was a single car crash on Route 21 northbound by the Grafton Avenue exit at 9:30 pm on Saturday, Feb 25, 2012 . A Toyota being driven by a 21 year old Newark man hit the center median and flipped over, killing Juan Martinez, 24 of Newark, who was a passenger in the vehicle. Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to University Hospital for treated for non life threatening injuries.
The second fatality occurred a 2:30 am on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 at Springfield Avenue and Pierce Street. Desmond Sydney, 54 of Irvington was riding a bicycle when he was struck by a Ford Explorer driven by a 39 year old Newark resident The Explorer was traveling west on Springfield Avenue when it turned on to Pierce Street hitting the bicyclist. Sydney was pronounced dead at University Hospital a short time later.
The drivers in both incidents have not been charged. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crime Task Force and the Newark Police are investigating the incidents.
