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UPDATED: Fatal Crash Kills 2, Injures Man, Boy, 11

Two women dead after vehicle left roadway, crashed into trees along I-78 in Bernards, police say.

 
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Interstate 78 westbound traffic was reduced to one lane Thursday morning during the accident investigation. Credit Terry Boudreau
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Two women were killed when the vehicle they were in ran off the roadway and struck trees on Interstate 78 in Bernards Township early Thursday morning, State Police said.

Tonya Gordon, 44, of Somerville, and Natasha Melendez, 20, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to State Police Sgt. Adam Grossman. State Police did not immediately know where Melendez resided.

According to Grossman, Davante Gordon, 20, of Somerville, was driving westbound when he lost control of his Nissan Maxima, near mile marker 33.8, ran off the left side of the road and hit two trees at about 2:30 a.m.

According to Grossman, the front-seat passenger, Melendez, was ejected from the car.

Gordon was airlifted to Morristown Medical Center with critical injuries, Grossman said. 

The other passenger, an 11-year-old boy, of Somerville, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Morristown Medical Center as well, Grossman said. 

The heavily damaged four-door sedan was seen being towed from the scene Thursday at about 8 a.m.

The accident is still under investigation. 

Patch will continue to update this story.

Related Topics: Bernards Township, Fatal Accident, and I-78

danielle

7:02 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012

God bless those families this Thanksgiving and Always!

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Tom

8:27 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012

Your sentiment is justified, but if god blessed them he would not have allowed such a tragedy .

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Don

9:10 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012

Now you're getting into the whole "why does a just and good God let bad things happen?" thing, and that could end up being a very lengthy discussion.

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pamela a

11:57 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012

Our Prayers with the familes....so sorry

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rich

7:39 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012

Danm. its bad.. i know these people.. my condolenses go out to the family.. this news put a damper on my thanksgiving.

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D Mc Grath

8:19 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012

What a tragedy. Pray for their fzmilies

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Shay Andrews

9:21 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012

Wow I can't believe it I'm in shock I know this family..Tanya may god bless your soul my heart is so broken on Thanksgiving......

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John Zoo

5:42 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012

THANK YOU Melendez ... AKA NaNa has family everywhere from FL to NJ to NY to PR ... She was a big part of many lives old and young and is dearly missed... many devastated as she was approaching her beacon of prosperity .. R.I.P Natasha

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Mark

9:47 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012

As much as I enjoy the Patch, I can't repeat enough how I hate the photos they post. WHY DO WE POST photos of accidents with license plates and destruction. I'm glad you had someone there but we can really do without this. I read an article a few months ago about fatality on Dukes Parkway West where author did not give identificaion of driver (probably didn't know who it was) but they posted 2 photos crystal clear of license plate and vehicle. I guess I'm just annoyed with the vultures who have to run around an acciden tsite and take photos. PLease respect the families of those injured or killed and stop posting pictures so quickly after. POssibly wait a few days!!!!!!!!!!!

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AC

12:47 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012

I agree. Photos of car crashes when a fatality is involved should not be posted out of respect to the families - this will change their lives forever. Don't know the family at all but heart goes out to them.

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jennifer crespo

10:47 am on Monday, November 26, 2012

I am the aunt of one of the passengers that was killed due to this horrific car wreck...seeing this photo devastates me...i cant imagine the pain my baby endured when this vehichle slammed into the tree but now i have this image embedded in my head forever!!!! Shame on you Post for putting these pics up so soon with no consideration for the families that lost there loved ones on this day!!!!!!!! RIP my white rose ----<@ "Natasha Lee" Titi loves you and knows you are resting now with the almighty. I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! :*(

Navarrete Law

12:30 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

I can't imagine how a family gets the strength to deal with this tragedy of such young lives. Unfortunately I see these terrible accidents all too often. May God bless and give peace to the loved ones. I am truly sorry for this loss. Yolanda Navarrete

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Juanita Betts

10:13 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

Blessings to the family, and I know the driver from when he was in grammar school... from our old block on Van Nostrand Ave in Jersey City. Blessings to the family and pray Davante gets better.

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Kevin Park

12:43 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012

So sorry to hear this. RIP and wishing comfort to the families.

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