A driver’s medical emergency is suspected of causing Monday’s head-on collision that sent two people to the hospital and snarled the evening commute on Speedwell Avenue.
James Fitzgerald, 61, of Morristown was driving southbound, just past Cory Road, around 4 pm when he apparently experienced a “medical emergency,” lost control of his Toyota SUV, and collided with a northbound Plymouth Acclaim driven by David Brady, 42, of Morristown, said Morristown Police Capt. Michael Buckley.
Morristown firefighters had to extricate Brady from his crumpled car. He is being treated at Morristown Medical Center for injuries to his hip and arm, said Capt. Buckley. Fitzgerald was treated for a hand injury, and released, the captain said.
The nature of Fitzgerald’s medical emergency, the speed of the vehicles and other details remain under investigation, Buckley said.
Morristown Officers Robert Iozzia and Eric Petr responded to the scene, and their investigation is being assisted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. The state Department of Transportation helped detour traffic on Speedwell (Route 202), a state roadway. Numerous other agencies also lent assistance, Buckley said.
“It was a team effort. Everybody did a good job,” the captain said. Firefighters freed Brady from his car within about 45 minutes, Buckley said. It took several hours to clear the scene for normal traffic.
