Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Police ID 2nd Basking Ridge Man in Fatal Crash

Police still investigating fatal crash that killed Kevin Herron and Thomas Ekberg, who both had attended Ridge High School.

State police confirmed the identity of a second Basking Ridge man as Thomas Ekberg, 20, as being the passenger in a double-fatal accident late Monday afternoon on Route 287 that also killed the driver, Kevin Herron.

Ridge High School Principal Frank Howlett confirmed reports by residents that both men were 2010 Ridge graduates.

A funeral mass for Herron is planned for Saturday at 11 a.m. at in Basking Ridge, according to a spokeswoman for Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, which is handling funeral arrangements. Visiting hours are scheduled for Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., also at St. James Church, according to the funeral home.

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Herron was the driver and Ekberg was the only other occupant of a 1993 Infiniti when Herron apparently hit the rear of a disabled dump truck stopped in the shoulder of Interstate 287 northbound at milepost 11.3, according to a report from state police at Somerville barracks.

The accident occurred at about 4 p.m., and both occupants in the car were pronounced dead at the scene, according to state police. The driver of the dump truck, who shortly before had pulled the truck off the road because it was disabled, suffered minor injuries, state police said.

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State police did not reveal the identity of the passenger until Wednesday morning pending notification of next of kin, according to state police spokesman Christopher Kay. However, the identity of both former Ridge students was being discussed throughout the township.

No ticket was issued, state police said. Traffic was backed up for about three hours, with two lanes closed off during that time, state police said. State police said witnesses were still being interviewed as of Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Howlett said counseling is available at Ridge for students who are upset by the death of the former students. Also in response to a question, he said on Wednesday that no memorial at the school was being planned.

Ridge's athletic director, Richard Shello, said that school records show that Herron played baseball and football his first two years of high school, and wrestled as a freshman.

This story will be updated as more information is available.


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