Crime & Safety

Child Dies in Wyoming Car Accident

Officials: 11-year-old a student at Thomas A. Edison Central Six School

An 11-year-old West Orange child died Saturday evening after the van he was in allegedly was struck twice at the corner of Wyoming and Lenox avenues in South Orange, according to officials.

Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, confirmed that Nikhil Badlani sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at 5:52 p.m. at University Hospital in Newark. Authorities originally reported Nikhil's last name as Badlami.

The crash occurred around 2:40 p.m. and involved three vehicles. According to early reports, the van was struck by a Toyota Prius that failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. The van then rolled over and was struck again by an oncoming car.

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West Orange Board of Education President Laura Lab confirmed Badlani was a sixth-grade student at Thomas A. Edison Central Six School. She said school officials are working to set up a crisis management team for parents, teachers and students on Sunday and Monday.  

It appears that the child's father was driving the dark-colored mini-van and that the 11-year-old was a passenger, according to preliminary reports. The father and another person, whose identity was not released, were both injured, though their injuries were not life-threatening. They were taken to Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

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The accident happened on the South Orange/Maplewood border. The identities of the other drivers were not released. It was also unknown whether any summonses would be issued as a result of the accident or whether alcohol or weather conditions played a role in the fatal crash.

Wyoming Avenue was closed between Lenox Avenue and West End Road Saturday afternoon as police investigated. Emergency personnel from both South Orange and Maplewood assisted at the scene.

The story will be updated as more information becomes available.


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