By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Ernest Walton, 61, of Peterson Road, remains in the special care unit at Morristown Memorial Hospital, after his motorcycle collided with another vehicle on I-78 in Watchung at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Following the crash, Mr. Walton was transported by Northstar helicopter transport to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and was still there as of Wednesday afternoon.
According to New Jersey State Police in Somerville, Mr. Walton lost control of his motorcycle while traveling eastbound on the highway, and collided with the second vehicle, also traveling eastbound in the middle lane.
Miguel Orellana-Zavala, 31, of Plainfield, was driving the second vehicle, with two passengers. Police said airbags in Mr. Orellana-Zavala’s vehicle were not deployed and all passengers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
The incident is currently under investigation. Police said they could not get a statement from Mr. Walton at the time of the accident because of the extent of his injuries, so it will be taken at a later date.
The accident comes on the heels of the July tragedy when Mr. Walton’s son, 18-year-old Jason, was killed after being struck by a train on the Norfolk Southern train tracks near Beekman Lane.

