OFFICIAL WORD FROM ESSEX COUNTY ON FATAL CRASH

This from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tonight:

Fatal Car Crash in Maplewood Kills Two

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino announced today that a 20 year old man has been charged in last night’s crash in Maplewood that left a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old dead and three others injured.

At this juncture of the investigation, there is evidence that alcohol and excessive speed contributed to the fatal crash.

The driver, Harrison Allen, 20, of Montclair and Livingston, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated assault by auto. Allen has also been charged with numerous motor vehicle offenses, including driving while intoxicated.

The dead have been identified as Tamir Harry, 16, and Kervin Noel, 21, both of Maplewood.

The two who died were ejected from their vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other Maplewood men were injured. They have been identified as Tahsir Harry, 20, and Rodney Lovius, 21. They had to be extricated from the vehicle and remain in serious condition at University Hospital in Newark.

Allen, who was traveling alone, was treated and released from the hospital today. He is currently in police custody. Bail was set at $50,000 by the Honorable Peter Vazquez, J.S.C.

At approximately 9 p.m. yesterday Allen was traveling at a high rate of speed in a new 2013 Chrysler 200 in the vicinity of South 4^th Street and Essex Avenue, a residential neighborhood in Maplewood. The preliminary investigation indicates he hit a 2001 Nissan Sentra carrying the four victims.

The investigation, which is active and ongoing, is being conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes/Vehicular Homicide Unit.

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.

It also appear, according to NJ.com, the suspect is the son of Montclair Fire Chief Kevin Allen