Local traffic safety investigators are sifting through evidence following an early morning fatal vehicle accident that took the life of an East Brunswick resident on October 29, 2026. The collision happened at approximately 5:09 a.m. at the juncture where Route 18 intersects with Racetrack Road.
Emergency call takers routed local patrol units to the location right after a 911 caller reported that a car had hit a person on the road. First responders arrived within minutes to find 28-year-old Michelle F. Chitacapa critically injured on the pavement.
Emergency medical service technicians rendered immediate care before transporting Chitacapa to a nearby regional hospital. Doctors worked to stabilize her condition, but she succumbed to her injuries shortly after reaching the emergency room.
The driver of the vehicle stopped immediately following the crash. Police reports state that the driver was unhurt and waited at the scene for patrol officers to arrive.
Officer Michael Manning of the East Brunswick Police Department Traffic Safety Section has taken charge of the collision investigation. Investigators are examining the intersection layout, lighting conditions during the early hours, and vehicle movement to understand how the crash unfolded.
Department representatives are asking anyone who drove through the Route 18 corridor at the time of the incident to share relevant information. Drivers who passed through Racetrack Road or noticed anything unusual around 5:09 a.m. can contact the Traffic Safety Section at 732-390-6969.
Residents wishing to remain anonymous can phone in details using the police department’s tip line at 732-432-8477. Officers expect to release further details as their technical review and reconstruction of the crash scene conclude.
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