In a heart-wrenching incident in Jersey City, young driver Ziyang Wang's reckless speeding turned fatal. Driving a BMW X5, Wang, 23, was hurtling down Paterson Plank Road when he collided head-on with a Kia Amanti near Congress Street.
The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit has arrested 23-year-old Jersey City resident Ziyang Wang. This arrest shines a spotlight on the ever-present concerns about road safety in urban areas, particularly on stretches with histories as alarming as Paterson Plank Road.
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, in her press release, detailed the severity of charges Wang is now facing. These include three counts each of Reckless Manslaughter and Death by Auto, and one count of Assault by Auto. The foundation for these charges rests on the harrowing incident from Monday, October 16, where data unveiled that Wang was driving at a perilous speed of over 100 miles per hour just moments before the devastating crash.
The tragic collision resulted in a head-on clash between Wang's BMW X5 M50 and a Kia Amanti. This accident led to the immediate death of the Kia's driver, 26-year-old Dylan Weidenfeld. Furthermore, among the BMW's five occupants, two backseat passengers met a tragic end, while a 19-year-old female battles for her life in critical condition at the Jersey City Medical Center. Another female passenger, seated in the front, endured injuries but is fortunately out of immediate danger.
The gravity of this event has sent shockwaves throughout the community. Paterson Plank Road, already notorious for its dangerous driving conditions and frequent accidents, is now under intensified scrutiny. Local residents and safety advocates are fervently calling for heightened safety measures and stricter monitoring to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Authorities apprehended Wang at the Jersey City Medical Center. His custody will continue there until he receives medical clearance.
As the investigation progresses, collaboration continues between the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Jersey City Police Department.