Roselle crash kills 2, seriously injures cop trying to save lives

ROSELLE — A crash early Saturday killed two people in Union County and seriously injured a police officer.

Mayor Christine Dansereau confirmed two people died in the 3 a.m. crash on Route 27 (St. George Avenue) in front of the New Way supermarket, which appears to have been damaged in the incident.

"It's a terrible tragedy," Dansereau said. "Regardless of what, how, who — everybody's prayers are with the families."

The dead drivers were identified as Fabiana Escandon, 22, of Linden, and Oscar Chaviano, 64, of Elizabeth.

Police said Escandon was driving a a 2008 Nissan Sentra while Chaviano was behind the wheel of a 2006 Subaru Impreza.

Investigators said both cars were traveling west on St. George Avenue before the crash.

Chaviano was pronounced dead at the scene while Escandon died at the hospital.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The mayor told New Jersey 101.5 that the police officer suffered a serious injury while making a "heroic effort at saving lives." She would not identify the officer, citing the ongoing investigation.

Pictures from the scene show a red sedan on its side against a utility pole with its top crushed. A second car could be seen on the sidewalk with a crumpled hood.

Route 27 was closed for over 6 hours for clean up and investigation of the crash.

Anyone with information about the crash should call Roselle police at 908-245-2000.