Single-Vehicle Leads to Death of 22-Year-Old in South Brunswick

South Brunswick, NJ (September 20th, 2021) – South Brunswick Police Department’s Chief Raymond Hayducka and Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced that a single-vehicle collision resulting in a single death is being investigated.

On the early morning of September 19th, 2021, police officers from the South Brunswick Police Department responded to a single-vehicle accident that occurred in the area of Major Road. According to preliminary investigations, a 2005 Ford F-350 was being driven by a 22-year-old man from Pennsylvania at approximately 4:35 a.m. At some point, the vehicle left the road and became overturned.

Aside from the driver, the Ford also carried a passenger, 22-year-old Gerald Pellak III from Dayton. The passenger died as a result of the accident.

The case is still being investigated by authorities. Anyone who witnessed the accident or has further information is being asked to contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office or the South Brunswick Police Department.

Many motorists in the State of New Jersey are not aware that single-vehicle traffic accidents can be some of the most dangerous forms of traffic accidents. Aside from being dangerous, these accidents happen at alarming rates. Although some of these accidents happen as a result of the vehicle’s driver, it is important to recognize that these accidents can also happen because of outside factors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (HNTSA) has recently carried out an investigation into a variety of elements that tend to lead to single-vehicle traffic accidents. The study specifically looked into reasons why a vehicle could be run off the highway. According to the agency, these types of accidents have a higher propensity of resulting in serious injuries or even death.

According to the study, a factor that can contribute to these types of accidents is alcohol. In New Jersey, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Drivers who operate their vehicle while intoxicated have a higher likelihood to suffer a single-vehicle accident as opposed to sober drivers. Alcohol can severely impair a motorist’s ability to operate the vehicle safely. Even the slightest levels of intoxication can affect a driver’s ability to see properly, coordination, and ability to react quickly.

Aside from intoxication, the study also revealed that low visibility is another factor that tends to lead to single-vehicle traffic accidents. Roads that do not have sufficient lighting can be dangerous and a person driving down one of these roads can suffer a single-vehicle accident when he or she is unable to see hazardous road conditions, such as potholes or dangerous curves.

Dangerous roads can be caused by a number of different elements. As previously mentioned, potholes are a common road hazard but these hazards usually happen over time because of deterioration. Roads are generally maintained by government agencies, and when the public agency fails to adequately maintain the road, it can be held responsible for the damages that ensue. Likewise, construction companies can also cause dangerous road conditions. These companies must properly inform drivers of dangerous zones and they must also mark off zones that cannot be driven on.

A final factor that can cause single-vehicle accidents is a defective auto body part. Unfortunately, a defective vehicle part can be difficult to recognize in time. Vehicle part manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are up to standard and work properly. If a vehicle part fails to work as it was designed to, losing control of the vehicle while it is in motion is a real possibility. Like government agencies, manufacturing companies can also be held responsible when their product causes a preventable single-vehicle traffic accident that results in serious injuries or death.

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a single-vehicle traffic accident, you should know that there are outside parties that may bear responsibility for the accident and the resulting injuries. After an accident, obtaining monetary compensation from the responsible party is possible. Discuss your case with a well-versed auto accident attorney who is experienced in handling single-vehicle accidents.

The auto accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. are exceptionally skilled in a wide range of traffic accidents, including complex single-vehicle accidents. After you have been injured in a single-vehicle accident, you have the option of filing a claim against the responsible party for compensatory damages that can include hospital bills, time taken off work, prescription medications, disability, emotional trauma, and more. Consider obtaining the support of the proficient attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. to help you establish liability in your case. You can schedule a complimentary consultation by completing the confidential online contact form here.