Borough Police Report 4 Car Accidents in 5 Days

Chatham Borough Police released a statement Wednesday detailing four car accidents took place between Sept. 15 and Sept. 19.

September 15

Patrolman Daniel Walsh investigated a two-car accident on Watchung Avenue at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, according to police.

A 2003 Ford driven by John Riccio, 47, of Rockaway was stopped in traffic when he was rear-ended by a 2002 Chevrolet driven by Allyson Cunningham, 47, of Verona, police said.

There were no injuries reported and Cunningham was issued a summons for careless driving, police said.

September 16

Sgt. Ralph Colatrella investigated a two-car accident on Main Street near Fairmount Avenue on Sept. 16 at 4:45 p.m., police said.

Diane Anderson, 34, of Florham Park stopped her 2008 Lexus at a traffic light when she was rear-ended by a 1995 Toyota driven by a 17-year-old girl from Florham Park, according to police.

The teen told police she could not stop in time and struck the car in front of her, police said.

No injuries were reported and no summonses were issued, according to police.

September 17

Patrolman Daryle Kelly investigated a serious two-car accident on Main Street near Hillside Avenue at 10:14 p.m. on Sept. 17, police said.

Kelly's invesigation revealed that Michael Raphael, 36, of Florham Park drove his 2011 Honda west on Main Street when he crossed the center line and struck a 2008 Lexus being driven in the other direction by Ellen Lynette, 60, of Short Hills, police said.

According to police, Lynette said she thought the other car may have been trying to turn left on Hillside Avenue.

The two cars had a total of seven occupants and all reported minor or moderate injuries, police said. All five occupants of Raphael's vehicle were transported to local hospitals by the , according to police.

Raphael was issued two summonses for failing to keep right and careless driving, police said.

September 19

Patrolman Richard Jaremba investigated a two-car accident on Main Street near Hillside Avenue on Sept. 19 at 8:44 a.m., police said.

According to police, a 1997 Ford driven by Carmela Cecere, 82, of Chatham Borough was driving north on Hillside Avenue crossing Main Street when she was struck broadside by a 2004 Toyota driven by Brenda Harris, 56, of East Orange.

Harris told police she was stopped in traffic looking at directions and when she looked up she started to go not realizing that the light had turned red for her, according to police.

No one was injured and Harris was issued a summons for careless driving, police said.