Crime & Safety

Sewaren Man Dies in Motorcycle Crash

NJ State Police are investigating the accident that killed Joseph Messina, 61, a motorcyclist traveling on Route 440.


New Jersey State Police are investigating a motorcycle accident that cost a Sewaren man his life.

Joseph Messina, 61, was riding his motorcycle on Route 440 near the Route 9 turnoff and Parkway entrance in Monday afternoon around 3:15 pm, a police spokesman said.

Messina swerved to avoid another vehicle and hit the concrete barrier near the bridge embankment, said Trooper Geir Tufte of the NJ State Police Somerville barracks, which is investigating the accident.

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"He couldn't successfully maneuver around the area," Tufte said.

Messina was declared dead at the scene.

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Messina didn't have any contact with the other vehicle, he added. The driver left the scene, and police haven't been able to get a description of the vehicle.

 and an Edison Township EMS squad were on hand to assist. The accident at such a heavy juncture of the 440 Roadway as people were driving home from the Memorial Day weekend caused a massive traffic backup that lasted for hours.


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