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North Plainfield Police Department

Press Release

Chief William Parenti

June 24, 2010

North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti and Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Peter DeMarco announced the joint investigation of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death of a bicyclist early Wednesday evening, June 23.  Police responded to a report of an accident on Route 22 East, approximately a quarter mile east of North Drive just after 7:00 pm Wednesday evening.  A male bicyclist was found to have been struck by a vehicle operated by an eighteen year old male, Camaran Burke of Fanwood, New Jersey.  Due to massive trauma, the bicyclist, Carlos Luna-Pacheco, 44 years of age, of North Plainfield, was airlifted by North Star, the New Jersey State Police air ambulance to Morristown Hospital.  Later that evening he succumbed to his injuries. 

The investigation is active and ongoing at this time.  Anyone with any knowledge or that observed the incident is urged to call Corporal Kardos of the North Plainfield Police Department Traffic Safety Unit at (908) 769-2937. At this time, the driver of the car Camaran Burke, has not been charged with any violations. 

The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team responded to assist the North Plainfield Police Traffic Safety Unit; the Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions with the investigation. The New Jersey Department of Transportation also responded to divert traffic while the on-site investigation was conducted.  Also assisting at the accident scene with the investigation were the North Plainfield Fire Department; the Watchung Rescue Squad; the Watchung Police Department; and Mercy 6 Paramedics from John F. Kennedy Hospital.