Bridgewater, NJ — February 19, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred ta around 7:20 A.m. on Chimney Rock Road.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person injured during the morning hours of February 19th. According to official reports, a vehicle was on private property being operated by a 90-year-old woman with a 60-year-old passenger when for unknown reasons the vehicle struck a tree causing the male passenger to be ejected form the vehicle.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the 60-+year-old had sustained serious injuries and he was transported to the hospital for treatment via helicopter. At this time the identity of the injured passenger, as-well-as what caused the accident remain unknown, however this is an ongoing investigation and more details may be released in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear about a crash on private property, they often assume it was a simple case of driver error. While that’s certainly a possibility, my experience tells me that accidents like this can be more complex than they first appear. Instead of making assumptions, it’s important to let the evidence guide the investigation. To do that, there are three critical questions that need to be asked.

First, did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Law enforcement typically focuses on crashes that occur on public roads, meaning accidents on private property may not always receive the same level of scrutiny. However, even in these cases, it’s important to determine whether external factors—such as uneven terrain, obstacles, or even another vehicle’s involvement—played a role. If the initial investigation doesn’t fully explain what happened, further expert analysis may be necessary.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? Mechanical failures—such as brake malfunctions, unintended acceleration, or steering issues—can sometimes cause a vehicle to behave unpredictably. In situations like this, where a car veers into a tree and results in an ejection, it’s critical to examine whether a failure in the vehicle’s safety systems—such as seatbelts, airbags, or door latches—made the injuries worse. Diagnosing these issues requires a forensic examination of the vehicle, but too often, the car is repaired or scrapped before experts have a chance to investigate. Preserving access to the vehicle is crucial to determining whether a mechanical issue played a role.

Finally, has all the available electronic data been collected? Most modern vehicles are equipped with an electronic control module (ECM), commonly referred to as the vehicle’s “black box.” This device records key crash data, such as speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments leading up to the crash. While private property crashes may not always have surveillance footage available, any nearby security cameras or eyewitness accounts could still provide valuable insight. If investigators haven’t secured this data quickly, there’s a risk it could be lost or overwritten.

At the end of the day, answering these questions isn’t just about understanding what happened—it’s about ensuring that every possible explanation is considered. When a crash results in serious injuries, the least the community can do is make sure no stone is left unturned in the search for answers.