Summit Route 24 Crash Results In Death Of Millburn Resident

SUMMIT, NJ — Following a five-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer in Summit last Thursday, state police confirmed that a 57-year-old Millburn man died in the crash.

David M. Baum, who lived in the Short Hills section of Millburn, passed away in the accident, which occurred after 2 p.m., said State Trooper Brandi Slota.

Police said that based on a preliminary investigation, a Volvo tractor trailer in the right lane slammed into the rear of Baum's Tesla, causing a chain reaction that involved three other vehicles: A Toyota Venza, a Hyndai, and a Dodge Ram.

The drivers of the Volvo, Toyota, and Dodge Ram sustained moderate injuries, police said, and the driver of the Hyundai sustained serious injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

Patch reported last week that one of the drivers with injuries was taken to University Hospital trauma center in Newark by the state police Medevac helicopter.

David Baum: 'Ever-So-Modest'

Baum was identified in Golf Magazine as a former investment banker who became a golf enthusiast and entrepreneur late in life.

"David bought Golf Odyssey, and, in his role as president and editor-in-chief, transformed the once-sleepy golf and travel newsletter into a freshly honest broker and leading industry voice," noted a tribute in the magazine. "He later merged Golf Odyssey with the golf media company Revolution Golf, ultimately selling both to the Golf Channel/NBC Universal."

Baum grew up in Columbus, Ohio before landing in New Jersey, the tribute said.
Friend Steve Lapper, who wrote the tribute, noted, "He was the rare, ever-so-modest, last person in the room you would have pegged as a former partner at Goldman Sachs, rabid New York Yankees or peaceful Grateful Dead fan."

Summit And Millburn Assisted

The Summit Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Summit Police Department and the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad.

The Millburn and Springfield fire departments responded to the scene with Atlantic Health, Millburn, and Springfield EMS.

READ MORE: 1 Dead Following Major Accident On Route 24 In Summit: Police

This article contains reporting from Patch editor Caren Lissner.