Cops: Medical emergency caused head-on crash in Morristown

MORRISTOWN – A medical emergency caused a 61-year-old motorist to lose control of his sport utility vehicle on Speedwell Avenue Monday afternoon and strike another motorist head-on, police said Tuesday.

The crash just before 4 p.m. did not cause life-threatening injuries to either driver but created a significant traffic jam on Speedwell Avenue during rush-hour, said town Police Capt. Michael Buckley.

He said that a motorist identified as James Fitzgerald, 61, of Morristown, was driving a Toyota SUV south past Cory Road when he apparently suffered a medical emergency that caused him to lose control, cross into the northbound lane and strike the driver of a Plymouth sedan identified as David Brady, 42, of Morristown.

Fitzgerald suffered injuries to his hand and was taken for treatment to Morristown Medical Center. The Morristown Fire Department had to extricate Brady from his vehicle. He suffered injuries to his hip and arm and also was transported to the hospital, Buckley said.

Officers Robert Iozzia and Eric Petr responded to the crash site and were assisted by multiple law enforcement agencies that included the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Office. Members of the state Department of Transportation assisted with diverting traffic because Speedwell Avenue -- also known as Route 202 -- is a state highway.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com.