Secaucus Two Car Crash Under Investigation: One Driver Charged With Assault By Auto, 2 Hurt

photo credit: Secaucus Police Dept.

On February 9 at 10:07 P.M, Secaucus Police responded to the area of 101 Paterson Plank Road on a reported head on crash involving two vehicles.  39-year-old Mark Ortiz, of Jersey City, was driving a 2002 Honda Civic when his vehicle crossed over into oncoming traffic crashing into a 2008 BMW.  The collision sent the BMW up into a snow embankment leaving the driver, an 18-year-old Nutley resident, with minor injuries.

The passenger of the Honda, a 39-year-old Jersey City resident, was trapped in the vehicle and was extricated by the Secaucus Fire Department.  He was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Mark Ortiz, who did not suffer any injuries, was arrested on the scene for Driving While Intoxicated. He was also charged with two counts of Assault by Auto [2C:12-1(c)(2)].  He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.  These charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“I am thankful that nobody suffered serious injuries or lost their life as a result of this crash,” Chief Dennis Miller said.   

The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Secaucus Traffic Bureau. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Secaucus Police Department Traffic Bureau at 201-809-4603 or traffic@secaucus.net.