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WEST MILFORD - Teen hurt critically in crash
(by Rebecca Scanlon - News Editor - October 02, 2008)
WEST MILFORD - A 16-year-old township girl was critically injured when a car hit two trees along Morsetown Road this past Saturday.
Authorities have not yet concluded what caused the Sept. 27 accident in which the 17-year-old driver was also injured and they seek the public's help in the search for information.
The 16-year-old passenger of the 2001 Nissan Altima that hit two large trees along Morsetown Road, was being treated in Morristown Memorial Hospital's Intensive Care Unit on Monday and was listed in critical condition, Chief Assistant Prosecutor James Wilson said.
The township driver, 17, was also taken to that hospital but had been released by Sunday, police said. Police do not release the names of minors.
According to authorities' investigation, shortly before 1:30 p.m. this past Saturday, the Altima was traveling north on Morsetown Road when it crossed the centerline and southbound lane, left the roadway and struck two large trees.
Wilson said that investigators have not determined the cause of the accident. No charges have been filed and authorities "don't know anything concrete that would lead to charges," Wilson said. "There's nothing to say drugs or alcohol played a part," he added.
"This may be the product of an inexperienced driver and adverse conditions," Wilson said, noting that while he didn't think it was raining at the time of the accident, the roads were wet from the weekend's inclement weather.
Wilson said that the front end and the passenger side of the vehicle had been damaged. Investigators project that the front end hit the first tree and then the vehicle spun and the passenger side took the bulk of the impact on another tree, the chief assistant prosecutor said.
The West Milford Crash Investigation Unit and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the accident. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact either the West Milford Police Department at 973-728-2802 or the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-881-4800.
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