Elizabeth man Charged in Connection with Fatal Collision

On October 28, 2023, at 5:00 A.M., authorities responded to Route 35 South in thevicinity of Fred’s Bait and Tackle Shop, following the report of a fatal crash. Upon their arrival, authorities located a 2009 Acura TL that had rolled over onto two parked vehicles.

The rear passenger of the Acura TL, Zion Jackson, 24, of Keansburg, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver, Brandon Witkowski, 26, of Elizabeth, and the front passenger were transported to the hospital where they were treated for serious injuries from the crash. There were no occupants in the parked vehicles at the time of the crash.

The initial investigation lead by Officer Thomas Calise of the Sayreville Police Department and Detective James Alleva of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that the Acura TL was driving southbound on Route 35 in Sayreville when it veered off the roadway striking a safety bollard for a fire hydrant and then rolled over onto the two parked vehicles.

The investigation culminated on April 18, 2024, with Witkowski being arrested without incident and charged with second-degree Vehicular Homicide, third-degree Aggravated Assault, first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter and fourth-degree Assault by Auto.

Witkowski is lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending the results of his Pretrial detention hearing.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Calise of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-727-4444 or Detective Alleva of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-4011.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Witkowski are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.