ROBERT GAROFALO PhD(c), Chief of Police

 
 
INCIDENT:  2021-16779   Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash, CRIMINAL CHARGES:  Death by Auto and Assault by Auto (3 Counts)
 
DATE & TIME OCCURRED:  06/26/2021  at  3:30 AM
 
LOCATION OCCURRED:  U.S. Route 1 South near Carnegie Center Blvd.
 
INVESTIGATING OFFICER:  Traffic Officer N. LaRocca #585                  
 
WHO:  Driver #1 – Ddjena Elysee 
              Resident of Newark, NJ 07106
 
              Front Seat Passenger of Vehicle #1 – 23 year old 
                     **DECEASED**
              Resident of Hamilton, NJ 08620
             
              Rear Seat Passenger of Vehicle #1 – 24 year old
              Resident of Trenton, NJ 08611
 
              Rear Seat Passenger of Vehicle #1 – 26 year old
              Resident of Trenton, NJ 08610
 
              Driver #2 – 50 year old
              Resident of Willingboro, NJ 08046
 
              
 
OTHER’S INVOLVED:
 
1)   WWPD Patrol Division, Administration, Detective Bureau, & Traffic Unit (Lead Investigators)
2)   West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services (WWDFES)
3)   Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company (Station #44)
4)   West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company (Station #43)
5)   Capital Health Paramedics
6)   Plainsboro EMS
7)   Princeton EMS
8)   Lawrence EMS
9)   Princeton Plasma Physics Lab EMS
10) Plainsboro Police Department
11) Mercer County Prosecutors Office Serious Collision Response Team (SCRT)
 
DETAILS:  On Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 3:30 AM, Patrol Units were detailed to a two (2) vehicle crash on U.S. Route 1 South, approximately one quarter mile north of Carnegie Center Blvd. When responding officers arrived on scene, they found a black VW Passat and a black Chevrolet Cruze in the roadway, both with heavy damage and injuries to the occupants. The front seat passenger of the VW Passat was also heavily entrapped in the car. Additional emergency resources were requested and responded to the scene.
 
The initial investigation revealed the following: The VW was traveling south on US Route 1 approaching Carnegie Center Blvd. The VW drove off of the roadway to the right where it struck a utility pole, followed by a road sign, and then a second utility pole, before spinning back onto the roadway, disabled in the center lane with its passenger side exposed to oncoming traffic. The Chevrolet was traveling south on Rt. 1 in the center lane and struck the front passenger side of the VW.
 
After the front seat passenger of the VW was extricated from the vehicle, he was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center iniitially in critical condition, however, he later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the VW and the two other passengers of the car were also transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. U.S. Route 1 South between Alexander Rd. and Carnegie Center Blvd. was closed for approximately four (4) hours to conduct the investigation.
 
**UPDATE 10/28/2021:  The WWPD's Traffic Unit (with Lead Investigator Traffic Officer LaRocca) continued its meticulous and arduous investigation.  On this date, members of the WWPD's Traffic Unit and Detective Bureau took custody of Driver #1, Ddjena Elysee, in Newark, NJ without incident.  Elysee was charged with Death by Auto and (3) Counts of Assault by Auto.  Elysee was processed at WWPD Headquarters and was turned over to the Mercer County Workhouse pending a future court date at the Mercer County Superior Court.  
 
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE:  Det. Lt. Lee #359
 
DATE OF RELEASE: 10/28/2021

*Please note that charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.