3 burned to death, 3 injured in fiery 3-vehicle Route 80 crash in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. Responsible driver charged with death by auto, DWI and other charges

UPDATE

JULY 11, 2015

Rockaway, Township, N.J. – 

The New Jersey State Police have arrested and charged Bhavuk Uppal, 22, of Mountain Lakes, N.J., who caused a chain reaction crash that killed three people earlier this morning at 1:37 a.m.

Based on the preliminary investigation, K Santiago-Madera, 26, of Bronx, N.Y., was stopped in traffic in a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the left-center lane of westbound Interstate 80 at milepost 34.7. 

A 2004 Kia sedan, which contained three unidentified occupants, was stopped in traffic behind the Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

Bhavuk Uppal was driving a 2014 Cadillac Escalade in the left-center lane when he struck the Kia, which caused it to strike the Jeep Grand Cherokee. As a result of the collision, the Kia became fully engulfed in flames. The Cadillac ran off of the right side of the roadway and overturned in a grass embankment.

The occupants of the Kia, driver John Doe, front passenger Jane Doe, and rear seat passenger Baby Doe, were pronounced deceased at the scene at 4:00 a.m. 

 K Santiago-Madera and his passenger, Brandon Green, 32, of Bronx, N.Y., were both taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Bhavuk Uppal was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released. Uppal was then transported to Netcong Station where he was charged with death by auto (3 counts), assault by auto (two counts), causing death or injury while driving while suspended, possession of drug paraphernalia, and DWI. He was lodged at Morris Jail County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail with no 10% option.

This case is currently under investigation by the New Jersey State Police and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. The case will be prosecuted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

William Westhoven, @WWesthoven 10:53 a.m. EDT July 11, 2015

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One driver was killed and three other people were injured in a fiery three-vehicle crash Saturday morning on Route 80 in Rockaway Township, according to New Jersey State Police.

The victim, who was not identified, was driving a vehicle, also unidentified, when it was involved in a crash with a Cadillac Escalade and Jeep Cherokee on westbound Route 80 near Exit 34B (Route 15) about 1:37 a.m., according to Sgt. Jeffrey Flynn.

The victim’s vehicle became “fully engulfed” in flames following the crash, Flynn said.

The driver of the Cadillac and two occupants of the Jeep were transported to Morristown Medical Center, Flynn said. Their condition was unknown, according to Flynn.

Westbound lanes of Route 80 were closed for the investigation, but were cleared as of 10 a.m. Saturday, Flynn said.

Flynn said more information about the crash was not immediately available, but would be posted on the New Jersey State Police Facebook page when available.