News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Toll of Commuting
Partly Cloudy
67°
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Toll of Commuting

Police release identity of driver killed in freak storm crash caused by falling tree limb in Scotch Plains

The vehicle then struck a bush and a tree before coming to a rest along 2150 Raritan Road.

Luis Lopez

and

Adriana Daniel

Jul 6, 2026, 7:19 AM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

A man killed during this weekend’s severe storms in Scotch Plains has been identified by police.

Jared Hirschowitz was driving on Raritan Road Friday night when a large tree limb snapped and fell onto the hood and windshield of his vehicle, police said.

Authorities said the impact caused Hirschowitz to lose control, veer off the road and crash into a tree.

RELATED: Cleanup continues across New Jersey after powerful storm kills person in Scotch Plains

Hirschowitz died from his injuries.

A 40-year-old woman riding in the vehicle was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, police said.

The crash remains under investigation.

The deadly incident comes as cleanup efforts and power restoration continue across parts of Union County following severe weather.

Sunday coverage

Officials say some homes and businesses remain without electricity after damage from strong winds and fallen trees.

Residents are being reminded to stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately because they could still be energized.

Officials are also urging anyone using generators to keep them outside and away from homes and garages because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

To assist residents affected by outages, PSE&G is operating a care station at the former Highland Swim Club on Martine Avenue.

Water, ice and charging stations for phones and laptops are available from 1 to 4 p.m., according to officials.

Top Stories

AP23059525541475

FAA issues ground stop at Newark airport due to equipment outage

01:50
NJ 2

Unsettled week with a looming coastal storm on the horizon

02:12
Lavallette

Lavallette restaurant remains closed after car crashes into outdoor dining area, killing 56-year-old woman

00:23
Horses on the loose

Officers rein in runaway horses in Montville

Car into lake

Driver rescued after car plunges into water in Manchester

01:29
Screenshot 2026-09-21 052509

Diesel prices hit record highs, raising concerns about cost of everyday goods

02:04
9212026Allcostof_2026-09-21-09-13-06

The Cost Of: Fall Sports

03:04
MTNJCycleBar8p0206_2024-02-06-20-25-23

Cyclebar instructor goes viral on social media with message of positivity

02:05
9212026WCtara_2026-09-21-05-42-35

Booking holiday travel? Why you and your family may see different flight prices

02:00
Screenshot 2026-09-21 080124

Made in New Jersey: Jersey Shore entrepreneur transforms Atlantic seawater into a growing business

00:40
Screenshot 2026-09-21 065840

Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes opens new gymnastics academy in New Jersey

00:28
Screenshot 2026-09-21 054947

Traffic to crawl through Manhattan as UN General Assembly brings year's worst gridlock

02:01
9212026NJtoc_2026-09-21-05-24-57

'Fair Fares' advocates push NJ Transit for income-based discount program

00:29
NYULangone921_2026-09-21-06-04-12

NYU Langone to end pediatric gender-affirming care following DOJ investigation 

01:44
RTNJSeaHearNowInRainCQueally10pm_2026-09-20-22-11-37

Chance of rain doesn't stop thousands of music lovers to rush to Sea.Hear.Now in Asbury Park

00:32
Ernie Accorsi

Ernie Accorsi, Hall of Fame NFL executive and former Giants GM, dies at 84

01:32
LAVALLETTEDEADLYCRASHFOLO_2026-09-20-17-06-29

Woman killed in Lavallette restaurant crash identified as fire chief's wife

00:19
hit and run

State police seek help in finding hit-and-run driver who injured Saddle Brook officer

02:03
PatersonSolarPoweredStopSigns_2026-09-20-17-09-31

Paterson adds solar-powered stop signs to improve visibility, reduce accidents

LI 10PM WED_MoneyWorries_ajc_2026-05-06-22-09-02

New Jersey loses 1,700 jobs in August, unemployment rate falls to 4.3%

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices