Driver Charged With Homicide After NJ Woman Dies In Crash

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — An East Rutherford man is facing charges in connection with a Monday car crash that left a 30-year-old woman dead.

Alexander Serrano, 33, was charged with one count of second-degree vehicular homicide following the single-car crash in Roxbury, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.

According to authorities, police were called to the scene of the collision on Howard Road near the intersection of Ledgewood and Mt. Arlington roads around 5:30 a.m. When police arrived, they found a Chevy Express van had sustained heavy damage after crashing into a tree.

The front passenger of the van — identified by authorities as Esmerelda Melchar of East Rutherford — was pronounced dead at the scene.

Serrano, who was driving the van, exhibited signs of being under the influence following the crash, prosecutors said. He was taken to the hospital for treatment before authorities moved him to the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Serrano was later released from custody on a series of non-monetary bail conditions. His next court date is scheduled for June 9.