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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Two New Brunswick men were hospitalized after a head-on crash on Jersey Avenue early Sunday, and investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward as they work to establish what caused the collision.
New Brunswick Police Chief Vincent Sabo confirmed that the crash occurred at 2:47 a.m. near Triangle Road. A 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by a 26-year-old New Brunswick man was in a head-on collision with a 2017 Honda Accord driven by a 25-year-old New Brunswick man. Both vehicles sustained significant damage, and both drivers were injured.
The Corolla driver suffered serious injuries in the crash. The Accord driver sustained minor injuries. Both men were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. According to the latest information available on Saturday, May 9, 2026, both drivers remained hospitalized. The hospital has not released additional details about their conditions.
The crash is being investigated by New Brunswick Police Officer Edward Bobadilla and Detective James Barnes of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Their preliminary investigation has determined that both vehicles were traveling on Jersey Avenue when the collision occurred. That finding rules out, at least for now, a scenario in which one driver entered the avenue from a side street or driveway.
The central unanswered question is how two vehicles moving in opposite directions ended up in the same travel path. Police have not announced any charges, and no specific cause has been identified. Investigators have not said whether speed, distraction, impairment, or a vehicle-related issue may have contributed to the crash.
Crash investigations of this type often take time to complete. Officers may review surveillance video from nearby businesses, examine vehicle damage patterns, and speak with medical staff. Investigators may also look into whether either driver was wearing a seat belt, though authorities have not released that information.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office was brought into the investigation because the crash involved serious injury. This type of joint response is common when local police need additional resources for reconstruction, evidence collection, and follow-up interviews.
Head-on collisions are among the most severe types of motor vehicle crashes because the impact energy combines the speed of two vehicles. In a rear-end or side-impact crash, one vehicle often absorbs much of the force. In a head-on crash, that force is more evenly distributed but also far more destructive.
Even at moderate speeds, head-on collisions can produce life-threatening injuries to the chest, pelvis, head, and spinal column. Emergency responders who arrive at this type of crash are often preparing for a higher level of trauma. That is consistent with the serious injuries reported in the driver of the Corolla.
Jersey Avenue is a heavily used roadway in New Brunswick, passing through a mix of residential and commercial areas. The section near Triangle Road sees regular traffic throughout the day and night, including commuters and local drivers. The crash occurred during overnight hours when visibility is lower, but police have not said whether darkness was a factor.
Authorities have not reported any other vehicles involved in the crash, and no passengers were mentioned in the initial police summary.
Investigators are urging anyone who saw the crash or the moments leading up to it to contact them. Police are particularly interested in speaking with motorists who may have been driving along Jersey Avenue near Triangle Road around 2:47 a.m. Sunday. Even a brief observation could help investigators establish vehicle positions and speeds.
Dashboard camera footage could also be important. Anyone with a dash cam who was in the area should review their recording, even if they were not directly involved in the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to contact New Brunswick Police Officer Edward Bobadilla at 732-745-5200 or Detective James Barnes of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3437. Both phone numbers are active for tips related to this investigation.
Further updates may be issued if police release new information about the condition of the drivers or the cause of the crash. Until then, the investigation remains active and open to new leads.
