Wayne Man Dies in Single-Car Crash, Police Seek Witnesses

A Wayne man who was concious and alert after crashing his car has died at a hospital, authorities say.

Wayne police responded to “a serious motor vehicle crash involving one” car on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 11:01 a.m. and determined a 2004 GMC Envoy, driven by Stephen M. De Frances, 58, of Wayne, was traveling East on Ratzer Road in the right lane when it left the roadway and struck a utility pole.

De Frances was conscious and alert at the scene, but complained of pain and was transported to Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson by the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad and Paramedics.

Police say De Frances’s medical condition deteriorated at the hospital and he was pronounced dead at 12:15 p.m.

This crash is now under investigation by the Wayne Police Traffic Bureau and the Passaic County Prosecutors Office. Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to contact the Wayne Police Department Traffic Bureau at 973-633-3520.