A 5-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy killed in Andover wrong-way crash that left 4 dead

ANDOVER — Four people, including two children, were killed in a fiery crash on Newton-Sparta Road Friday afternoon, police said.

Bruce Cseh, 22, of Blairstown, crossed over the road’s double yellow lines in a Jeep Rubicon into opposite traffic and hit a Ford Ranger pickup truck head on, according to Andover Chief Eric Danielson.

The pickup truck became engulfed in flames with Andrew Benavente, 36, Andrew Benavente Jr., 13, and Madelyn Benavente, 5, all of Newton, trapped inside.

First responders used fire extinguishers to put out the flames and life saving measures, but all three occupants were declared dead at the scene, Danielson said. Police used a personal vehicle with a chain to pull the Jeep away from the other car.

Members of the Andover and Sparta fire departments put out the fire, and rescued Cseh, the driver of the Jeep, who was trapped inside. He was flown to Morristown Medical Center, but later died of internal injuries from the crash, Danielson said.

The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Friday near the Sparta Township line. Newton-Sparta Road near Limecrest Road was closed for more than five hours as police investigated. The investigation is ongoing, Danielson said.

“From the crash investigation, and eyewitnesses who were behind the vehicle at the time of the crash, we know the Jeep Rubicon crossed over into the opposite lane of travel,” he said Saturday. “But as of right now, it’s unknown why the vehicle crossed over.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Andover wrong-way crash kills 4, including girl, 5, and boy, 13