Full Notification

WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

20 Municipal Drive * P.O. Box 38

West Windsor, New Jersey 08550

ROBERT GAROFALO PhD(c), Chief of Police

(609) 799-1222

Records Fax (609) 799-6338 * Fax (609) 897-9010

DB Fax (609) 799-6515 * Dispatch Fax (609) 799-3516

NEWS INFORMATION

INCIDENT: 2023-9417  Serious Motor Vehicle Collision, DWI, Assault by Auto, Possession of Heroin, and numerous Motor Vehicle Offenses 

DATE & TIME OCCURRED:   March 24, 2023 at 5:08 pm (Overturned Vehicle Crash #3)

LOCATION OCCURRED:  US Route 1 North-
                                                Crash #1 at Quakerbridge Road
                                                Crash #2 at Meadow Road
                                                Crash #3 at Washington Road
                                                     (Overturned Vehicle Crash)

WHO:  ACCUSED:  Andrew T. Baxter-- Driver #1 in all (3) Crashes
                                 Resident of Yardley, PA 19067
 
OFFICER:  Traffic Officer E. McQuade #97--Lead Investigator
      
OTHERS INVOLVED:  1)  WWPD Communications Center,
                                           Patrol Division, Traffic Unit,
                                           Administration & Detective Bureau
                                     2)  WW Div. of Fire & Emergency Services
                                     3)  Princeton Jct. Volunteer Fire Co. Station 44                                       4)  Princeton Volunteer EMS
                                     5)  Capital Health MICU
                                     6) NJ Dept. of Transportation Incident Mgt. 

DETAILS:  On Friday, March 24, 2023 at approximately 1700 hours, West Windsor Police dispatch received a call regarding a Hit and Run motor vehicle crash on US Route 1 North.  While Patrol and Traffic Units were responding an additional call came from the Communications Center regarding a single vehicle crash on US Route 1 at Washington Road.  The vehicle was reported to be overturned, with the occupant entrapped and unresponsive.  All available units diverted to the rollover motor vehicle crash.  Upon arrival on scene a White 2016 Acura TLX was overturned in the center lane of US Route 1 North at Washington Road.  

    The driver, later identifiied as Andrew T. Baxter, was partially entrapped inside the vehicle and was quickly removed  by the WW Division of Fire & Emergency Services.  Baxter was unresponsive, but had a pulse.  Capital Health Regional Paramedics responded to the scene as well.  Baxter regained consciousness with the assistance of responding First Responders and was determined to have no traumatic injuries. 

     The on scene investigation determined that Baxter had been operating his motor vehicle under the influence.  Baxter was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated and transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton.  New Jersey Department of Transportation Incident Management team responded to assist with major traffic delays.

     Further investigation on scene determined that there were two additional motor vehicle crashes which had occurred on US Route 1 North involving the Acura.  The investigation revealed that the Acura rear ended a Subaru at US Route 1 North at Quakerbridge Road.  In addition, the Acura rear ended a Mazda at US Route 1 North at Meadow Road.  The Acura continued northbound until it crashed at Washington Road striking the center median and causing it to  overturn.  The driver of the Mazda suffered from minor injuries to her neck and was transported to Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro for treatment. 

     Baxter was determined to be at fault for all three (3) motor vehicle crashes and was issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Following too Closely, Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injuries, Failure to Report an Accident and CDS in a Motor Vehicle.  Baxter was also charged criminally with Assault by Auto and Possession of Heroin pending future court appearances.  

OFFICER  PREPARING RELEASE: Det. Lt. Lee #59

DATE OF RELEASE: 3/25/2023


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