Head-On Crash Kills Windsor Woman

A Windsor woman was killed and two other Windsor residents suffered non-life threatening injuries in a head-on collision late Friday in northwestern New Jersey.

Deepa Panchal, 53, sustained fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, while Subhash Panchal, 53 and Vrushabh Panchal, 17, also of Windsor, were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries according to New Jersey State Police Sgt. Adam Grossman.

Grossman said the Panchals were passengers in a southbound 2010 Toyota Sienna driven by Harish Patel, 45, of Mansfield, N.J. Also in the minivan were Algin Patel, 78, Sharda Patel, 70, and Aika Patel, 45, all of Mansfield. Police could not confirm the occupants relationships.

The crash occurred in Allamuchy Township, N.J., when the driver of a northbound 2001 black Acura attempted to make a left-hand turn and failed to yield the right of way.

As a result, he struck the Sienna in a head-on manner, Grossman said. The Sienna rotated and stopped in the southbound lane facing south.

The other six occupants of the Sienna were transported to hospitals with a variety of non-life-threatening injuries to the head, neck, chest, hip, leg and back.

The driver of the Acura, Michael Delessio, 31, of Hackettstown, N.J., sustained a fractured leg and wrist and head trauma. He was listed in serious but stable condition.

Grossman said Delessio has been charged with driving while intoxicated.