Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera and Director Joseph Nisky of the Woodbridge Police Department announced today that an Iselin man has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal collision that occurred on February 18, 2026, in Woodbridge Township.
On February 18, 2026, at approximately 10:36 P.M., Woodbridge Police Department responded to Route 27 North near Deepa Auto Repair, following the report of a crash. Upon their arrival, authorities discovered a 2013 Hyundai Tucson which struck a 2025 Nissan Altima head on. The Tucson was driven by Silvino Ruiz Alonso, 28, of Iselin, and the Altima was driven by Amber Torres, 22, of Colonia. The front seat passenger of the Altima, a 21-year-old woman from Colonia, and the driver of the Hyundai Tucson suffered serious injuries and were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment. Torres was transported to JFK Hospital where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.
An investigation led by Investigator Adam Kazawic of the Woodbridge Police Department and Detective Stenly Vertus of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that the 2013 Hyundai Tucson operated by Ruiz Alonso was traveling southbound when it crashed head on, on the wrong side of the roadway, with the 2025 Nissan Altima which was traveling northbound.
On March 4, 2026, Ruiz Alonso was charged with first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter, second-degree Vehicular Homicide, second-degree Aggravated Assault, second-degree Assault by Auto, and third-degree Endangering. Ruiz Alonso is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending the results of a PreTrial detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
This is an active investigation. Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Investigator Adam Kazawic of the Woodbridge Police Department at 732-602-7375 or Detective Stenly Vertus of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-8391.
As with all criminal defendants, the charges against Ruiz Alonso are just allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
