Crash after police chase into Glen Ridge park leaves multiple dead, authorities confirm
UPDATE: AG's office confirms two deaths in Glen Ridge crash following pursuit as questions remain
GLEN RIDGE — Multiple people died in a car crash after a police pursuit Tuesday morning in Glen Ridge, Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Kathy Carter said.
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General is investigating the crash, Carter said. The Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The car, a silver Hyundai, crashed into a park and hit two trees near the Glen Gazebo. Authorities did not provide further details on the crash.
The active police investigation closed Bloomfield Avenue between Ridgewood and Hillside avenues on Tuesday morning.
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The Essex County Prosecutor's Office was at the scene as police directed traffic at Ridgewood and Bloomfield avenues in the heart of the town by the municipal building, library, elementary school and Police Department. The area closed by police is in front of a steep embankment in the park.
Commuters will not have access to the Glen Ridge train station, police alerted.
The crash happened not far from the site of one in 2018 that left two people dead. The 2018 crash also started as a pursuit, initiated by Montclair police.
The state changed its guidelines on police pursuits on April 29, allowing cops once again to chase suspected car thieves, after previously being allowed to engage only to prevent death or serious injury. That policy was introduced in December 2021.
Investigation from 2019: Deadly NJ police chases kill innocent victims, catch few crooks
The intersection and Bloomfield Avenue mark the main area of activity in normally quiet Glen Ridge, an affluent borough with fewer than 8,000 residents. Mike Lucci, a Glen Ridge resident of four years, said although Bloomfield Avenue is busy in the area, he rarely sees any crashes.
"It's kind of shocking," Lucci said, noting that most times when he sees police officers in the area they're only helping kids cross the street.
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Mickey Dobesh, who has worked in town for seven years, said the location can be hectic when the nearby elementary and high schools let out but otherwise it's a calm town. Dobesh came to around 5 a.m. and saw the active police investigation.
"You had to be going pretty fast to go down like that," Dobesh said.
Check back for more on this developing story.
Joshua Jongsma is a breaking news editor for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all the major news happening in North Jersey, subscribe here. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Email: jongsma@northjersey.com
Twitter: @jongsmjo
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Glen Ridge NJ police pursuit crash leaves multiple people dead
