Identities Confirmed In Route 80 Fatal Crash
Published on July 17, 2015
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the confirmation of the positive identification of the victims of the July 11, 2015 fatal crash on Route 80 in Rockaway Township, New Jersey.
On July 11, 2015 at approximately 1:37 a.m., New Jersey State Police were dispatched to a crash on Route 80 in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. The crash involved a 2004 Kia sedan which was struck from behind by a 2014 Cadillac Escalade, driven by Bhavuk Uppal (age 22) of Mountain Lakes, N.J.The Kia became fully engulfed in flames and its three (3) occupants perished as a result of the crash.
The occupants of the Kia have been positively identified by the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office as: Edward Russell Hitt (age 24), Briana Mae Anderson (age 22) and Charlotte Reagan Hitt (age 18 months), of Louisville, Kentucky.
K Santiago-Madera and Brandon Green, both of the Bronx, N.Y., were the occupants of a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, also involved in the crash. They were both taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital for their injuries.
On July 11, 2015, Uppal was charged with Vehicular Homicide, in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:11-5b (1), a crime of the second degree, Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c (2), a crime of the fourth degree. Causing Death While Driving While Suspended, a crime of the third degree, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly persons offense and DWI, a motor vehicle violation.
The defendant's initial bail of $300,000 bail with no 10% option, was increased to $750,000 during the July 13, 2015 bail hearing before the Honorable William J. McGovern, III. J.S.C. The defendant was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility, in lieu of bail.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Unit, Crime Scene Unit, Investigative Unit and Troop B Netcong Station, as well as the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit.