The New Jersey State Police have arrested and charged Bhavuk Uppal, 22, of Mountain Lakes, who caused a chain reaction crash that killed three people earlier this morning at 1:37 a.m.
Based on the preliminary investigation, K Santiago-Madera, 26, of Bronx, N.Y., was stopped in traffic in a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the left-center lane of westbound Interstate 80 at milepost 34.7.
A 2004 Kia sedan, which contained three unidentified occupants, was stopped in traffic behind the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Bhavuk Uppal was driving a 2014 Cadillac Escalade in the left-center lane when he struck the Kia, which caused it to strike the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
As a result of the collision, the Kia became fully engulfed in flames. The Cadillac ran off of the right side of the roadway and overturned in a grass embankment.
The occupants of the Kia, driver John Doe, front passenger Jane Doe, and rear seat passenger Baby Doe, were pronounced deceased at the scene at 4:00 a.m. K Santiago-Madera and his passenger, Brandon Green, 32, of Bronx, N.Y., were both taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Bhavuk Uppal was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.
Uppal was then transported to Netcong Station where he was charged with death by auto (3 counts), assault by auto (two counts), causing death or injury while driving while suspended, possession of drug paraphernalia, and DWI.
He was lodged at Morris Jail County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail with no 10% option.
Positive identification of the victims is pending.