Police in Sparta were dispatched to Route 15 southbound near mile mark 12 for a report of a head-on crash with entrapment Tuesday at approximately 9:54 a.m.
The investigation revealed that a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer traveling Route 15 Northbound - occupied by Joshua M. Buttacavole, 20, of Lodi (driver) and 20-year-old Nicholas M. Baya, also from Lodi (passenger) - lost control and rolled into the grass median before striking a 2012 Jeep Liberty head-on in the Southbound lane.
The driver of the Jeep Liberty, was identified as Melissa D. Scevola, 36, of Hamburg, who is six months pregnant, according to police. Scevola was trapper d in her vehicle before being extricated with assistance of the Sparta Fire Department, Sparta EMS, St. Clare’s Medics and the Ogdensburg Fire Department.
She was then transported to Morristown Medical Center with broken bones and lacerations with no reported issues with her pregnancy.
Buttacavole suffered no injuries and was released after questioning.
Baya was transported to St. Clare’s Denville to be treated for minor injuries.
Sparta Police Accident Reconstructionist, Cpl. Craig Grauerholz, P.O. Dan Elig and Det. Jeff McCarrick reconstructed the accident scene.
Both Route 15 Southbound and Route 15 Northbound were closed during parts of the investigation.
The crash is still under investigation and charges are potentially pending against Buttacavole.
Photos: Sparta Police