Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Morris County Grand Jury has returned an Indictment against Bhavuk Uppal, 23, with a last known address in Mountain Lake, charging him with various crimes related to the July 11, 2015 motor vehicle crash that left three dead and two injured.
During the early morning hours of July 11, 2015, a motor vehicle crash occurred involving multiple vehicles on Route 80 westbound in Rockaway Township.
Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that Defendant crashed his motor vehicle into the rear of one vehicle, which then caused that vehicle to collide with the vehicle in front of it. The crash resulted in the death of the three (3) occupants in the first vehicle struck, and injuries to the two (2) occupants in the second vehicle. It is alleged that Defendant operated his vehicle recklessly, and under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life. It is also alleged that at the time of this incident, Defendant was operating a vehicle recklessly, in part, by speeding, driving while having a suspended license, and being under the influence of alcohol and narcotics.
On May 19, 2016, the Morris County Grand Jury returned an Indictment formally charging Defendant with three (3) counts of Aggravated Manslaughter, crimes of the first degree, three (3) counts of Death by Auto, crimes of the second degree, three (3) counts of Death Caused While Driving with a Suspended License, crimes of the third degree, two (2) counts of Assault by Auto, crimes of the fourth degree, and two (2) counts of Unlawful Taking of Means of Conveyance, crimes of the third and fourth degree. Defendant was previously charged by way of a summons-complaint with Possession of Hypodermic Needle, a disorderly persons offense, which is also related to this incident.
Defendant remains in the custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility, with a bail set at $750,000 cash, bond or property.
Members of the New Jersey State Police and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit contributed to this ongoing investigation and prosecution.
If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.