Zara Zaman Accident Clayton NJ Obituary: At 9:52 p.m., officers with the Clayton Police Department responded to a serious two-vehicle crash at the intersection of East Academy Street and Fries Mill Road, authorities said.
According to police, the collision occurred when one vehicle attempted to make a left-hand turn and entered the path of a second vehicle traveling southbound. The impact caused one of the vehicles to overturn, leaving three people trapped inside. Emergency crews arrived quickly, and Emergency Medical Services worked alongside police to extricate the occupants from the overturned vehicle.
One of the injured, Zara Zaman, was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, police said. Her death has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly within the school district.
In a letter sent to parents and students, Clayton Public School District Superintendent Nikolaos Koutsogiannis confirmed that Zaman, two former graduates, and two current students were involved in the crash. “This is an incredibly difficult moment for our community,” Koutsogiannis wrote.
“The loss of a young life is always tragic, and news like this can be especially hard for students, staff, and families to process. Our hearts are with Zara’s family and friends during this unimaginable time.” The district said counseling and support resources are being made available to students and staff affected by the tragedy.
Police said the crash remains under active investigation, and no additional details have been released. Authorities urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Clayton police as they continue working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the deadly collision.