By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey State Police are actively investigating a tragic crash that occurred in Essex County on Sunday, claiming the life of a man from Morris County.
The incident also led to significant delays on the highway, disrupting traffic for several hours.
According to Trooper Jefferey Lebron at 4:14 p.m., the collision occurred on I-280 West at milepost 4.4 in Roseland Boro., Essex County, leading to a pedestrian's death.
Troopers responded to the scene where a preliminary investigation revealed a sequence of events.
A Chevy passenger vehicle was parked on the right shoulder of the highway, with a pedestrian, later identified as Mr. Luis Nicheporuck, 56, of Randolph, NJ, standing beside it.
Trooper Lebron said the Ford pick-up truck, traveling westbound, veered onto the shoulder, striking both the Chevy and Mr. Nicheporuck. The impact of the collision resulted in fatal injuries for Mr. Nicheporuck.
The driver of the Ford, Mr. Valerian Kapanadze, 48, of Hackettstown was arrested at the scene.
He faces charges of Vehicular Homicide, Child Endangerment, Evidence Tampering, and multiple traffic violations.
Mr. Kapanadze is currently held at Essex County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing.
This incident is still under investigation, and no further information has been released.
The community mourns the loss of Mr. Nicheporuck as authorities continue to piece together the details of this unfortunate accident.