South Brunswick teen dies after Route 1 crash in Edison
EDISON – An 18-year-old South Brunswick girl died after the vehicle she was in struck a vacant building in the area of Route 1 and Fox Road on Thursday night.
The teen was identified as Diana Somarriba, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan announced.
Somarriba was a senior at South Brunswick High School.
Around 10:25 p.m., Thursday police responded to Route 1 southbound in the area of Fox Road for a report of a vehicle crash.
More: 81-year-old ambulance patient ejected in Edison crash, police say
Upon arrival police located Somarriba and two teen boys who were occupants of the vehicle that struck the building.
Somarriba was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died. The prosecutor's office did not indicate if the other teens in the vehicle were injured, or if Somarriba was the driver or a passenger.
South Brunswick Superintendent of Schools Scott Feder said the news of Somarriba's death has been difficult for the district, and especially her family.
"Diana Somaribba's passing is a huge loss to South Brunswick High School and our community. She was a very charismatic young lady who was very loyal to her friends who were so important to her," Feder said in a statement.
"Diana was kind, sweet, and likable and always had a smile on her face. Her dream of graduating from high school and joining the military was cut short due to this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Somaribba family and all of her friends," he said.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of South Brunswick High School senior Diana Somarriba. Her family has started a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses - https://t.co/GNLWCVMysE pic.twitter.com/Fv8QFRyvXD
— So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) January 21, 2022
A fundraiser launched for the teen's funeral describes her as "the most generous, goofy and amazing person."
The GoFundMe page, called Diana Somarriba funeral, was organized Friday by Roberto Somarriba of the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, who said the teen "always made people laugh no matter what mood she was in."
"She was in the progress of joining the Army and finally getting her goals to an end. Unfortunately she has been in a car accident and passed away early in the morning of January 21, 2022. We are absolutely devastated by Diana’s passing and are struggling to find the funds to cover the cost of the service," is written on the page, which as of Friday afternoon has raised more than $20,100 of the $20,000 goal.
The investigation into the fatal crash is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Edison Police Capt. Dominic Masi at 732- 248-7400 or Prosecutor's Office Detective Jonathan Berman at 732-745-4328.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South Brunswick teen dies after Route 1 crash Thursday in Edison
