Gloucester County, NJ — March 9, 2025, Three people were killed and another was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 4:15 P.M. on Route 55.

An investigation is underway following an car accident that left three people dead during the afternoon hours of March 9th. According to official reports, Branden Cary was operating a Honda along with Dominic Reyes, and a 17-year-old, on Route 55 in the northbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle struck the rear of a Honda CRV. The impact then caused the Honda to lose control and cross the shoulder where it struck a disabled Dodge minivan.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Cary, Reyes, and the 17-year-old had sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased, while a 36-year-old woman from the minivan sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including what caused the initial impact as-well-as the status of the injured minivan driver. however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my immediate thought is that I hope investigators are taking the necessary steps to fully understand what happened. Multi-vehicle crashes can be especially complex, and while some might assume that the initial rear-end collision was simply a case of driver inattention, experience has shown me that many other factors can contribute to a wreck like this. To ensure that every possible explanation is considered, three critical questions need to be addressed.

The first question is whether authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Law enforcement is responsible for gathering evidence at the scene, but the level of detail in crash investigations can vary. In a case like this, where a vehicle struck another from behind before losing control, it’s important to determine whether investigators are looking at all contributing factors. Were there sudden traffic slowdowns, road hazards, or another vehicle that may have played a role? Were weather or lighting conditions a factor? A full accident reconstruction will be key to answering these questions and ensuring that no detail is overlooked.

The next question—one that is too often ignored—is whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash. The modern safety systems in a Honda should, in theory, help prevent or mitigate a collision, so investigators should examine whether braking, steering, or electronic stability systems functioned as they should have. If there was an issue with the vehicle’s brakes, acceleration system, or even a tire failure, that could explain why the driver was unable to avoid the initial impact. Additionally, given the severity of the crash, it is important to examine whether airbags and seatbelts in both vehicles performed as expected. Unfortunately, vehicle defects frequently go undiagnosed because many people assume driver error is the only possible explanation, and the vehicles are often scrapped before they can be properly examined. Preserving both vehicles for further inspection is crucial.

The final question is whether all relevant electronic data has been collected. The Honda’s electronic control module (ECM) may contain key information about speed, braking, and steering inputs just before the crash. This data could help clarify whether the driver attempted to slow down, whether the brakes engaged properly, or if something malfunctioned. Additionally, surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras, dashcams, and cell phone data could provide crucial insight into what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. Preserving this evidence as soon as possible is critical before it is lost or overwritten.

At the end of the day, getting answers to these questions isn’t just about understanding what happened—it’s about ensuring that those affected have the full picture and that every possible factor has been investigated. Serious crashes like this leave families and communities searching for explanations, and the least we can do is make sure that no question is left unanswered.