NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ—The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) requested help from other agencies after a driver allegedly fled from a crash on College Farm Road near Route 1.

The incident occurred on the evening of February 16, but Rutgers officials did not respond to our requests for information until February 18.

New Brunswick Today’s Carlos Ramírez was the only reporter to cover the incident as it was unfolding, posting just after midnight on February 17: “Rescue crews removed a car out of the water after a person led police on a chase, according to a witness.”

The crash occurred at the southern edge of the Rutgers University’s Cook campus, near a Bristol Myers Squibb research and development facility and the border with New Brunswick.

Police were observed roadside looking for evidence in the frigid weather, while two simultaneous states of emergency were in effect throughout the state.

Rutgers ultimately said that “the perpetrator was not apprehended and the investigation remains ongoing,” but RUPD did not issue an alert to the campus community, nor did North Brunswick Township.

“On Feb. 16 at approximately 11pm, the male operator of a motor vehicle fled on foot from the scene of a one-car accident on College Farm Road,” wrote Jon Cramer, Director of Public and Media Relations for Rutgers.

Our initial questions were directed to North Brunswick Police Department, but they deferred to RUPD.

“While I can confirm that our Department responded, it was not the primary agency,” said Captain Brian Hoiberg of the North Brunswick Police Department (NBPD), noting that the Township’s Fire and EMS Departments also responded to assist Rutgers.

“At approximately [11:02pm], we were requested to respond by that agency to assist with an incident within our jurisdiction,” wrote Hoiberg.

“North Brunswick PD assisted with the search for the perpetrator and East Brunswick Fire assisted in checking a nearby small body of water approximately 4 feet deep.”

No details were given by authorities about the driver being sought or the type of vehicle that was involved.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.