East Windsor Crash Leaves Pedestrian Dead and Another Critically Hurt as Driver Faces Charges

The crash happened Sunday night near the intersection of Route 33 and Probasco Road. Police said the driver did not remain at the scene after the collision and was later located and arrested.

Authorities identified the driver as 47-year-old Herman J. Santos-Morales of East Windsor. Police said he was traveling west on Route 33 in a passenger vehicle when the vehicle struck two men who were crossing the roadway at about 11 p.m.

One of the pedestrians, a 37-year-old East Windsor man, suffered severe injuries and was taken to Princeton Medical Center. He later died at the hospital, police said. His name had not been released at the time of the initial report because authorities were still working to notify his family.

The second pedestrian, a 21-year-old man from Spotswood, was also seriously injured in the crash. He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition, according to police.

The circumstances surrounding why the two pedestrians were crossing Route 33 and the exact sequence of events leading up to the collision remained under investigation.

Police said Santos-Morales left the area after the crash rather than staying at the scene. Investigators later located him, leading to his arrest.

The charges filed against Santos-Morales include leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and causing death while driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s licence. He also faces charges related to the seriously injured pedestrian, including leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, causing serious bodily injury while driving with a suspended or revoked licence and endangering an injured victim.

The charges are allegations, and Santos-Morales is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Following the collision, Route 33 was closed for several hours while police conducted their investigation. Such closures are commonly necessary after serious crashes because investigators may need to document the roadway, examine vehicle damage and gather other evidence before the area can safely reopen.

The location of the crash is part of the Route 33 corridor in East Windsor. Probasco Road connects with Route 33 and serves as an important local roadway. East Windsor municipal planning documents identify the Route 33 and Probasco Road area as a significant intersection within the township’s transportation network.

The deadly crash also highlights the serious risks pedestrians face when crossing busy roads at night. Drivers travelling through areas where pedestrians may be present are expected to remain alert, follow posted speed limits and watch carefully for people entering or crossing the roadway.

For pedestrians, visibility can also become especially important after dark. Wearing visible clothing, using designated crossing locations where available and paying attention to traffic can help reduce the risk of a serious collision. However, the specific circumstances of this crash have not been fully established, and investigators have not publicly assigned fault beyond the allegations contained in the charges.

The investigation remains an important part of determining exactly what happened before, during and after the collision. Investigators will typically consider evidence such as vehicle damage, roadway conditions, witness accounts and other available information when reconstructing a serious crash.

The arrest represents the latest development in the case, but additional information could emerge as the investigation and court proceedings continue. The identity of the pedestrian who died had not yet been publicly released in the initial police information.

For residents and motorists in East Windsor, the incident is another reminder of the dangers that can arise on heavily travelled roads, particularly during nighttime hours. A collision involving pedestrians can result in life-changing injuries within seconds, making careful driving and attention to road conditions especially important.

At this stage, authorities have confirmed one fatality, one critical injury and the arrest of the driver. Further details about the investigation, including any additional findings or court proceedings, may be released by authorities as the case moves forward.