STORM WATCH

Rainy conditions linger with winds picking up, temps to drop

Cab driver, passenger killed by car possibly fleeing from police in Elizabeth

The crash was recorded on a nearby gas station’s security camera. The video shows a blue Hyundai speeding through a red light before hitting the cab.

Chris Keating

Dec 11, 2023, 10:47 PM

Updated 365 days ago

Share:

A taxi driver and passenger were both killed in a crash on Sunday in Elizabeth. The driver’s employer says that the other vehicle involved was stolen.
Authorities have identified the taxi driver as Juan Alvear, 54. The fatal crash took place along Route 1&9.
Alvear’s relatives were out Monday placing flowers at the site where he was killed. He was driving a woman to the train station before the crash. That woman also died but has not been identified.
The crash was recorded on a nearby gas station’s security camera. The video shows a blue Hyundai speeding through a red light before hitting the cab. The driver’s side took the brunt of the impact.
“It’s been rough for our family for sure but we are relieved that he didn’t suffer. It was instant,” says David Yepez, Alvear’s nephew.
Alvear worked for Mega Cab company. The manager says that the Hyundai that struck the cab was stolen.
“Those guys were in a stolen car, and police were chasing [them],’ says manager Miguel Suriel.
The Union County Prosecutor has not yet named the three people in the Hyundai who are accused of running the red light. One of those in the car ran from the crash scene, according to investigators.
The family has created a GoFundMe page to help raise money to send Alvear’s remains to Ecuador for burial.