Driver Reportedly On Drugs In Wayne Triple Fatal On Route 23

WAYNE, NJ — Three people died in a three-vehicle crash on Route 23 North on Tuesday, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office has confirmed. A driver who survived the crash was driving while intoxicated when the crash occurred, authorities charged.

The driver, Jason Vanderee, 29, of Glenwood, was charged with death by auto, aggravated manslaughter, and driving while intoxicated within 1,000 feet of a school, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said in a press release.

Vanderee was overdosing on opioids at the time of the incident, PIX11 reported. NBC 4 New York reported that Vanderee authorities administered Narcan to Vanderee at the scene. He suffered only minor injuries, PIX11 reported.

A gas station attendant and Jon Warbeck, 50, of Fair Lawn, was one of the victims, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office confirmed. Warbeck's son, Luke, a 17-year-old Boonton High School senior, of Lincoln Park, also died in the crash, Lincoln Park Mayor David Runfeldt confirmed. It is not yet clear if the vehicles involved were mobile or parked at the station.

The attendant was Lovedeep Fatra, 22, of Pequannock, the Prosecutor's Office confirmed.

Boonton School District Superintendent Jason Klebez and Boonton High School Principal Robert Presuto could not be reached for comment.

The victims were pronounced dead at the scene, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes announced in a press release after the crash. Another driver was taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson for treatment.

The crash occurred at about 8:46 a.m. when an out-of-control SUV driver smashed into the gas station, killing the Warbecks and Fatra, according to PIX11. The accident happened at the Delta gas station near the Wayne Mazda dealership, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes announced in a press release.

The Warbecks were inside a Camaro that had its roof torn off, according to the report. The other two vehicles involved were a Honda Pilot and a Nissan Rogue, Valdes said.

Local firefighters and police, along with members of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office were at the scene, NorthJersey.com reported.

Capt. Laurence Martin of the Wayne Police Department directed all inquiries about the crash to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash. More information will be released when it becomes available, Valdes said.

Mayor Chris Vergano said it was "a very sad day in Wayne as three innocent people lost their lives in a horrific accident this morning. Please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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