Two Cranford families are grappling with unimaginable heartbreak after a tragic e-bike crash claimed the lives of two teenagers over the weekend. Authorities confirmed that the fatal collision occurred late Saturday evening when a vehicle struck the teens, who were riding a shared electric bike near the intersection of Myrtle Street and Walnut Avenue in Cranford, New Jersey.Police say the driver, identified as a 22-year-old man from neighboring Union County, fled the scene but was quickly apprehended a short distance away.
He now faces multiple charges, including two counts of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Investigators have not yet released the names of the teenage victims, pending official notification of all family members, but described them as local high school students who were well known in the community.
Neighbors reported hearing the impact and rushing outside to find the devastated scene, with first responders attempting life-saving measures that ultimately proved unsuccessful. Both victims were pronounced dead shortly after being transported to University Hospital in Newark.
Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty expressed condolences on behalf of the township, calling the loss “a devastating tragedy that has shaken our community to its core.” Vigils and memorials are already being planned by classmates and residents, with flowers and candles placed near the crash site.
The incident has also reignited conversations about road safety and the rising popularity of e-bikes among teens, as well as concerns about reckless and impaired driving. Police have stated that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may follow. For now, a tight-knit town is left mourning two promising young lives taken far too soon and rallying around grieving families.
