Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, Chief of Detectives Frank R. Crisologo, and Frenchtown Borough Police Chief Al Kurylka announced that detectives were investigating a motor vehicle accident and structural fire that occurred on Bridge Street in Frenchtown on August 13th.
A preliminary investigation has revealed that a heavy-dutywrecker hauling a large trailer was traveling southbound on CR513 at approximately 10:40 pm. For unknown reasons, the tow truck left the roadway and struck the Galasso’s Pizzeria located on Bridge Street in Frenchtown.
Officials say the pizzeria became engulfed in flames and the fire spread to the Frenchtown Café. The unoccupied structures suffered extensive damage.
The driver of the vehicle, Roberto Velez, 37, of Kearny, suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.
According to authorities, the wrecker was owned by B&L Towing and Recovery, of Carteret, NJ.
Anyone with information on the accident is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 788-1129.
Responding agencies included, Frenchtown Fire Department, Quakertown Fire Department, Kingwood Township Fire Department, Stockton Fire Department, Raritan Township Fire Department, Flemington Fire Department, West Amwell Fire Department, Holland Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department, Annandale Fire Department, Lebanon Fire Department, Ottsville PA Fire Department, Erwinna PA Fire Department, and Upper Black Eddy PA Fire Department.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010, going online at www.CrimeStoppersHunterdon.com, or through the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app. All tips are anonymous and kept confidentially.
Photo: Skye VanSaun