NEWS

Deer blamed for Mt. Olive crash that left 3 hurt

Staff report

MOUNT OLIVE – Three people were injured on New Year’s Day when the car they were riding in was struck by another car that was trying to avoid a deer, police said.

On Jan. 1 at 8:40 p.m., police responded to Route 206 north in the Flanders section of the township after a report came in about a motor vehicle crash.

Officer Constantinos Pagonis was first to arrive at the scene of the crash and requested assistance from the Flanders Fire Department and First Aid squads.

The collision involved a Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Ljupco Stojanovska, 18, of Edison and a Honda Civic driven by James Rinnovatore, 82, of Flanders.

The preliminary investigation determined that Stojanovska was traveling along Route 206 and was trying to avoid a deer when he collided with the civic.

James Rinnovatore, along with his passengers Mary Anne Rinnovatore, 82, and Philomena Cavacini, 98, were transported to Morristown Medical Center for treatment of various injuries. James Rinnovatore and Philomena Cavacini were still hospitalized on Monday and listed in fair condition. Mary Ann Rinnovatore was treated and later released.

Stojanovska was not injured in the crash.

The Mount Olive Police Department was assisted by the Flanders Fire and First Aid squads, The Morris County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit.