By: Richard L. Smith
A devastating crash along Interstate 295 late Sunday night claimed the lives of an Elizabeth father and his young daughter, and left two others seriously hurt, according to New Jersey State Police.
The collision occurred around 10:15 p.m. in the northbound lanes near mile marker 50.6 in Burlington County. 
A preliminary investigation revealed that an SUV, driven by a 29-year-old woman from Miami, veered into a guardrail on the right side of the highway.
After the initial impact, the vehicle re-entered the roadway and slammed into a second SUV, authorities said.
The force of the collision sent both vehicles off the highway and into a wooded area, where they struck several trees.
The driver of the second SUV, identified as 36-year-old Mr. Sharfu Uddin of Elizabeth, and his 8-year-old daughter, who was riding in the back seat, were both pronounced dead at the scene.
A 26-year-old woman, also a passenger in Uddin’s vehicle, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The Miami woman behind the wheel of the first SUV was also hospitalized with significant injuries.
According to a State Police official, the cause of the crash is still under active investigation, and no charges have been filed at this time. Authorities have not released the names of the injured individuals.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact New Jersey State Police as they continue to piece together the events leading up to the fatal crash.