Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that there was a three-car motor vehicle collision last night in Newark resulting in the death of three people and severe injuries to five others.
Police say on Sunday, August 30, at approximately 7 pm three cars were involved in a crash at Broad Street and Central Avenue in Newark.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a Honda traveling southbound on Broad Street hit a Mazda, traveling north, causing it to crash into a Toyota.
Police say, Elba Galarza, 77, of Glen Ridge, a passenger in the Honda, sustained fatal injuries.
According to police, Clarise Pizcha, a rear-seat passenger in the Mazda, was also killed. She was 11 years old.
Police say on Sunday, Galarza was pronounced dead at 7:40 pm at St. Michael’s Hospital. Pizcha was also pronounced dead at 7:58 pm at University Hospital.
Early Monday morning, police said a third victim died.
Rosa Lojalema, 35, the driver of the Mazda, was pronounced dead at 1:20 am.
Five other people sustained injuries.
Two were in the Honda and three of the injured were in the Mazda. The driver and two passengers in the Toyota did not sustain any injuries.
The investigation is active and ongoing. At this time, no charges have been filed against anyone.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will be kept confidential.