Police Seeking Witnesses to Wednesday's Fatal Crash in Bernardsville

Bernardsville police are seeking witnesses to assist their investigation into a fatal one-vehicle crash that on Wednesday evening that involved a 77-year-old man on Route 202 (Morristown Road) near Friendly's Restaurant. The chain of events ended with the victim's Ford Excursion landing near the restaurant, police reported.

The crash was reported at 6:21 p.m. on Dec. 8, police said. Police were called to the scene and observed that a 2000 Ford Excursion occupied only by a male driver had left the roadway and crashed through a fence along Route 202.

The vehicle had continued on and finally came to a stop after striking several trees near Friendly's Restaurant, police said. The vehicle occupant, later identified as Thomas Santolini Jr. of Bernardsville, was unresponsive when police arrived on the scene, according to the accident report.

Bernardsville Patrol Officer Doug Seals and Sgt. Brian Testa immediately rendered emergency care and started CPR, according to police. The Bernardsville First Aid Squad responded and subsequently transported the driver to Morristown Memorial Hospital with the assistance of paramedics from the Atlantic Health Care Mobil Intensive Care Unit, police said.

The accident victim was determined to be deceased at the hospital, police said. The cause of death was not determined as of Thursday, police said.

No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash, police said.

The Bernardsville police department is continuing its investigation. Anyone who may have information about the crash is requested to contact Bernardsville Detective Sgt. Jim Smith at 908-766-0037.