Police: Driver Airlifted After Route 202 Head-On Collision

A student was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital after a head-on collision on Route 202 Monday morning, Police Chief James Batelli said.

Jacob H. Halle, 22, of New City, NY, was trapped in his car and unconscious after his 2007 Honda Civic struck a 2003 Dodge Durango head-on, Batelli said. Emergency responders "were able to return a pulse" at the scene of the accident, he said. According to Batelli, Halle is in critical condition and on a respirator at St. Joseph's.

According to Batelli, a witness said Halle's car was "weaving several times between lanes before it crossed over to the northbound lane and struck the [Dodge] in an offset head on approach," at about 9:13 a.m. Monday. The accident occured not far from the entrance to the college.

The driver of the Durango, Kerri Ende, 43, of Oakland, was transported to Valley Hospital with “moderate injuries,” Batelli said. She is in stable condition, he said.

"The investigation is in its preliminary stage and at this point investigators do not know what was caused Mr. Halle to weave and ultimately cross into the other lane of traffic," Batelli said.

Police said they are investigating four possible reasons Halle weaved into oncoming traffic: a medical condition, falling asleep at the wheel, cell phone use or other distraction, and use of alcohol or drugs. "While we have not ruled any of these out we also have no factual basis at this point to believe any one of them are likely to be involved over another," Batelli said.

Of the student, a spokesperson from Ramapo College said "Our thoughts and prayers are with the young man and his family, as well as with the driver of the other vehicle."

Emergency workers from Fuchs Ambulance, a company that serves the college, Mahwah Ambulance, Mahwah Fire, Valley Hospital, NJSP Medevac helicopter, and Mahwah Police responded to the accident.

After being closed for about an hour, Route 202 is reopened to drivers.