UPDATE -Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Investigation

[Lt. Robert Osborn]

 

On 9/25/16 at 1:36p.m., Newton Police Officers responded to Water Street (State Rt. 206) at the intersection with Mill Street (County Rt. 519) for a crash involving a motorcycle; a southbound vehicle struck a southbound motorcycle within a multi-lane portion of the highway, causing its operator to be ejected and resulting in him receiving serious injuries.

Fredon EMS and Paramedics from Saint Clare’s responded to the scene and transported the victim to the Newton Medical Center.  Identified as Joseph J. Gribble, age 54, of Stillwater Township, he later died as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.     

After completing a thorough investigation it was determined that a 2001 Toyota Camry was proceeding Northbound on Water Street operated by Maureen Sweeney, age 67, of Hackettstown, when she failed to yield to a 2014 Volkswagen Passat being operated Southbound on Water Street by Michael McNamara, age 48, of Rockaway , N.J.   

As a result, McNamara attempted to avoid Sweeney (who was turning left in front of him) and briefly entered another Southbound lane of travel resulting in his vehicle having contact with the Southbound motorcycle operated by Gribble. 

Due to the investigation, Sweeney was issued a summons for a violation of the following:

N.J.S. 39:4-90   Right of Way at Intersections

McNamara was issued a summons for a violation of:

N.J.S. 39:4-88B   Failure to Maintain Lane

Officers Involved:

Detective Sergeant Dean Coppolella, Ptl. Michael Wolanski, Sgt. Frank Philhower, Ptl. Daniel Finkle and Ptl. Russell Post.