Franklin Park man killed in New Year’s crash

Two hospitalized in early morning accident.

By: Hank Kalet
   A 22-year-old Franklin Park man was killed New Year’s Day when his 1989 Honda Accord veered across the double-yellow center line on Finnegans Lane and crashed head on into a 1995 Mazda at about 5:30 a.m.
   Juan Torres-Peralta of Franklin Park was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:11 a.m.
   The accident caused Finnegans Lane to be closed between Route 1 and Route 27 for more than three hours.
   The driver of the Mazda, Nicholas Macharia, 31 of New Brunswick was transported by Kendall Park First Aid to St. Peter’s University Hospital were he was treated and released. Two passengers in the vehicle were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Claire Kidiiga, 21, of Sayreville was in stable condition with a head injury and Pam Riungu, 24, of Long Beach, Calif., was in critical condition in surgery with head injuries.
   The Kendall Park Fire Department, Kendall Park First Aid, North Brunswick Fire Department, North Brunswick First Aid Squad and paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital responded to the scene.
   The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the South Brunswick Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Patrol Officer Lazlo Nyitrai at (732) 329-4000, ext. 430.