Final Reports Still Pending in Fatal Crash

Florham Park police are still waiting for final reports from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and Medical Examiner before they close their investigation into a fatal car accident that took place last month.

Capt. Robert Treiber said until the reports come in, the investigation into the accident is still pending.

The accident took place on June 5 on Ridgedale Avenue near Mann Avenue.

Mary Casalaspi, 78, of East Hanover was driving south on Ridgedale Avenue in a 2010 Honda Accord with her husband John, 83, in the passenger seat, Florham Park Capt. Robert Treiber said. At the same time, Victor Alvarez-Tlatenchi, 46, of Paterson was driving north on Ridgedale Avenue in a 2001 Ford F-450 with an attached trailer and three passengers.

Treiber said Mary Casalaspi drifted into the northbound lane, and her car hit the truck driven by Alvarez-Tlatenchi, who turned to try to avoid the collision.

The Casalaspis were trapped in their vehicle and had to be extracted before they could be transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital. John eventually died of his injuries and Mary Casalaspi's condition was not immediately known, Treiber said, and three of Alvarez-Tlatenchi's passengers were also transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital.

The Traffic Safety Unit of the Florham Park Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Vehicular Homicide Unit are investigating the accident. Treiber said an exact cause has not yet been determined. 

The last fatal accident in Florham Park was along Brooklake Road in November.