OCTOBER 27, 2026 NEWS RELEASE BRANCHBURG FATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
BRANCHBURG TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay and Branchburg Township Chief of Police Richard Buck announced a fatal accident that occurred in Branchburg on Route 202 at Holland Brook Road in the early evening hours of Monday, October 26, 2026.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Monday, October 26, 2026, at approximately 5:03 p.m. Branchburg Police Department responded to the scene of a motor vehicle crash on Route 202 at the intersection of Holland Brook Road. Upon arrival, officers observed an accident involving a Peterbilt tractor and trailer and a Ford sedan. The damage resulting from the accident caused the Ford sedan to become engulfed in flames. Readington and Neshanic Fire Companies responded to extinguish the fire along with Branchburg Rescue Squad. Somerset County HazMat and the New Jersey Department of Transportation Traffic Diversion Team also responded to assist. The driver of the Ford, an adult male resident of Branchburg was pronounced deceased at the scene. Members of the Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team responded to the scene to investigate along with Branchburg Township Police Department. Investigators from the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office also responded. The investigation is currently on-going pending the results of the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team’s findings and results from the post-mortem examination conducted by the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
Prosecutor McDonald, Chief McKay, and Chief Buck request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Branchburg Township Police Department at (908) 526-3830 or via OPS Tips. OPS Tips allows citizens to enter SCPO.TIPS as the URL into the address bar of any internet enabled device to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All tips will be kept confidential.
Note: The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed. Photo Gallery