BOONTON — Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wayne Police Chief James Clarke announce that based upon an investigation by the Wayne Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Jason Vanderee, 29, from Glenwood, was arrested Tuesday evening in relation to a fatal motor vehicle crash that took place on Tuesday, February 19 in the area of 1220 Route 23 North, Wayne.
Mr. Vanderee is charged with three counts of Aggravated Manslaughter, First Degree; three counts of Death by Auto While Driving Intoxicated Within 1000 Feet of School Property, First Degree; three counts of Death by Auto, Second Degree; Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Third Degree; Possession of Hypodermic Needles, a Disorderly Persons Offense; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Disorderly Persons Offense.
Sources say Vanderee was administered Narcan and was rushed to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson. He is expected to survive.
According to media sources Vanderee had his license suspended in early 2017, stemming from a November 2016 motor vehicle stop on Interstate 80 in Fairfield during which he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to turn over drugs to police, operating a motor vehicle in possession of narcotics, possession of a hypodermic syringe and careless driving.
His license was suspended for seven months and then fully reinstated, meaning Vanderee was driving with a valid license at the time of the crash.
On Tuesday February 19, at approximately 8:46 a.m., Wayne Police responded to Route 23 Northbound in the area of the Delta Gas Station, in response to a serious motor vehicle crash involving multiple vehicles.
A 2004 Honda Pilot, a 2011 Nissan Rogue, a 2016 Ford Transit T-250 Van, and a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro were all involved in the crash.
Upon police and medical personnel arrival, three individuals were pronounced dead at the scene; the two occupants of the Chevrolet Camaro, and a gas station attendant.
The occupants of the Chevrolet Camaro were later identified as Jon Warbeck, 50, Fair Lawn, and his son, a 17 year old passenger, Luke Warbeck, Lincoln Park. Luke was a student at Boonton High School.
Boonton Alderman Michael Cardillo said “The Cardillo family sends our deepest thoughts and prayers to the Warbeck family from Lincoln Park who lost a son, Luke, Boonton High School student and father/husband, Jon.”
The Boonton school district is providing both the support and spaces for students and staff to come together to help one another. Only together we will get through the next heart-breaking days and innumerable sad days to follow.
The gas station attendant was later identified as Lovedeep Fatra, 22, Pequannock. The occupants of the Ford Transit Van and Nissan Rogue all received medical treatment for minor injuries.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that Jason Vanderee was driving at an excessive speed at the time of the crash. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
