JACKSON — A 43-year-old woman from Perth Amboy died after her van crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a dump truck on Toms River Road, police said.
The crash was reported on December 12 around 2:01 p.m. near Osprey Place. Responding officers found a white van and a dump truck engulfed in flames, with the van’s driver trapped and unresponsive inside, according to Jackson Township police.
Officers attempted to pull the woman from the burning vehicle, but advancing flames forced them to stop as members of the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company arrived and began extinguishing the fire. Once the blaze was put out, the driver—identified as Evelin Villanueva-Detejeda—was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the dump truck driver was not hurt.
A preliminary investigation indicates Villanueva-Detejeda’s van was heading south on Toms River Road when it veered across the double yellow line and into the northbound lane, where it collided with the dump truck. Witness statements and roadway evidence suggest the truck driver tried to brake but could not avoid the impact, investigators said.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer David Dejesus at ddejesus@jacksontwpnj.net or 732-928-1111.
