A multiple-vehicle crash that began when three people in a stolen Jeep rammed into a State Police car in Newark, came to a halt in Bernards Twp., State Police Sgt. Gregory Williams said today.
At 2:18 p.m Monday, State Police were in the area of 17th Avenue and South 19th Street in Newark conducting a motor vehicle stop of a black 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The Jeep's plates came back as a stolen vehicle, trooper attempted to stop the vehicle but vehicle rammed the State Police car and sped off, Williams said.
State Police and Newark Police followed the Jeep through several Newark and Irvington Streets and than onto Route 78 West and finally onto Route 287 south, Williams added.
At mile marker 25.8 on 287 South, the Jeep struck a minivan and Bernards Township police car, Williams said.
Lanes on Route 287 south in Bernards Township were closed for several hours, according to New Jersey State Police.
A Bernards Township officer suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Morristown Medical Center and released.
The driver of the minivan was taken to the hospital with complaints of pain but was subsequently released, William said.
A 8-month pregnant woman traveling in the stolen Jeep was flown by helicopter to the hospital as a precaution but has since been released, William said.
The three people in the stolen Jeep were captured and arrested, Williams said.
Driver - Freddie Wright,22, of Newark - was charged with four counts of aggravated assault, eluding and resisting arrest, and receiving stolen property.
He's being held in Essex County jail on $75,000 bail. He's also facing additional charges in Somerset County, Williams said.
Jakill Young, 23, of Newark was charged with eluding and resisting arrest and receiving stolen property.
He was turned over to East Orange Police on an active warrant, according to Williams.
The pregnant woman — Ericka Whitlock, 20, of Newark — was charged with receiving stolen property. She was turned over to the Essex County Sheriff's Office on an active warrant.