13-Count Indictment For Driver In Route 80 Triple-Fatal Crash

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – The Mountain Lakes man accused of driving drunk last summer and killing three people, including a toddler and pregnant woman, last summer on Route 80 has been indicted on 13 assorted counts, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced Thursday.

Bhavuk Uppal has been charged by a Grand Jury with three counts of aggravated manslaughter; three counts of death by auto; three counts of death caused while driving with a suspended license; two counts of assault by auto; and two counts of unlawful taking of a means of conveyance. Uppal was previously charged with possession of a hypodermic needle.

On July 11, 2015, an investigation revealed Uppal crashed into a Kia sedan with his Cadillac Escalade near mile-marker 34.7 on Route 80 westbound, Sgt. Jeff Flynn said. As a result, the Kia then crashed into a Jeep Grand Cherokee in front of it, which had two occupants, Flynn said.

See related: Cops: Drunk Driver Crashes, Kills 3 In Fiery Multi-Car Wreck On Route 80

The chain reaction resulted in the Kia, which had a man, pregnant woman, and baby, to become fully engulfed in flames, Flynn said. All three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene at 4 a.m.

The occupants of the Jeep, K Santiago-Madera, 26, and Brandon Green, 32, both of the Bronx, were taken to Morristown Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The three people in the Kia were identified as Edward Russell Hitt, 24; Briana Mae Anderson, 21; and Charlotte Reagan Hitt, 18 months old.

Uppal, whose vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned in a grass embankment, was also taken to Morristown Medical Center where he was treated and later released, Flynn said.

See related: 19 Tickets, 12 Suspensions In 2 Years For Alleged Drunk Driver In Triple-Fatal Crash

Uppal was taken to the Netcong Station where he was charged with three counts of death by auto, two counts of assault by auto, causing death or injury while driving while suspended, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while intoxicated.

Uppal is currently in Morris County Correctional Facility where he remains jailed on $750,000 bail.

See related: Woman Killed in Rt. 80 Crash Was Pregnant, Alleged Drunk Driver Arrested 6 Times

At the time of the fatal crash, Uppal was on indefinite suspension, having lost his license 12 times.