By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey State Police officials are investigating the cause of a crash that killed two Essex County motorcyclists on Sunday evening.
The incident occurred on Interstate 78, where the men were ejected from their motorcycles following a collision, according to New Jersey State Police officials.
The victims have been identified as Essex County Corrections officer Mr. Sherman Bardouille, 31, from Irvington, and Mr. Tamir Lee, 42, from Newark.
Officials said both men sustained fatal injuries. No other injuries were reported in the crash.
State Police officials reported that the incident occurred at approximately 6:06 p.m. on I-78 eastbound at milepost 42.8 in Berkeley Heights Township.
According to preliminary investigations, a Lexus SUV, a Honda passenger vehicle, a BMW motorcycle, and a Suzuki motorcycle were traveling eastbound when the accident occurred.
The investigation revealed that the BMW motorcycle, driven by Bardouille, struck the back of the Honda, causing the Suzuki motorcycle, driven by Lee, to collide with the BMW.
The BMW motorcycle then crashed into the Lexus, veered off the roadway, and hit a traffic sign.
Both motorcycles overturned, resulting in the ejection of both drivers.
The crash remains under investigation as state police continue to determine the exact cause of the accident. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the events that led to this deadly collision.