BORDENTOWNTOWN
SHIP – One man was killed and
two were injured March 15 in an
accident on Route 206 and Car
men Avenue in Bordentown
Township.
By:David Koch
Stephen M. Szmutko, 83, of
Bordentown Township died from
fatal injuries in the accident after
being transported to Robert
Wood Johnson in Hamilton.
Police said Mr. Szmutko’s
car struck a 2000 Toyota Camry
driven by Paulette Lipsett, 28, of
Hamilton. Riding with her in the
front passenger seat was Joseph
Brayerton, 22, of Trenton. Ms.
Lipsett’s 2-year-old daughter,
Samantha, was sitting in a child
safety seat in the back.
Police said Mr. Szmutko was
driving south on Route 206, with
Ms. Lipsett waiting at the light
on Carmen Avenue to turn onto
Route 206.
According to a police report,
Ms. Lipsett had a green light and
proceeded into the intersection.
Mr. Szmutko did not stop for his
red signal and struck Ms.
Lipsett’s car in the driver’s side
door."
The accident occurred at
3:20 p.m., and Mr. Szmutko died
from fatal injuries 35 minutes
later.
Ms. Lipsett was flown by
helicopter to Helene Fuld Trau
ma Center, suffering unknown
injuries. She remains in fair con
dition, as of Tuesday morning.
Mr. Brayerton was driven to
Helene Fuld Trauma Center with
unknown injuries and was re
leased from the hospital a day
later.
Ms. Lipsett’s 2-year-old
daughter did not suffer any inju
ries and was later released to a
family member, according to po
lice reports.
A third vehicle driven by Ga
lyna Turchak, 40, of Trenton
also was struck in the accident.
Mr. Turchak’s Toyota Camry
Wagon was traveling north on
Route 206.
He was not injured and his
vehicle sustained left front end
damage, according to police re
ports. Police must find a Polish
interpreter before they can get a
statement from Mr. Turchak.
Following the accident, only
one lane of Route 206 south
bound was open and northbound
traffic on Route 206 was re
routed.
Police said the investigation
is continuing, and anyone with
information regarding the acci
dent can contact Patrolman Dan
iel Moonan or Detective Schmidt
at the Bordentown Township Po
lice Department.