Edison Teen Karla M. Gamero Dies After Woodbridge Police Pursuit Ends in Route 1 Crash
Karla M. Gamero, 17, of Edison, died after a Nissan Maxima being pursued by Woodbridge police crashed on Route 1. Authorities continue investigating t
A late-night police pursuit in Woodbridge ended in tragedy when a 17-year-old Edison teen lost her life in a violent crash along Route 1. Authorities say the incident began just before midnight on February 19, when a Woodbridge police officer observed a Nissan Maxima traveling southbound at a high rate of speed. According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, which is now leading the investigation due to the fatality occurring during a police encounter, the officer initiated pursuit. Roughly one minute later, the Nissan collided with another civilian vehicle at the intersection of Route 1 and Gill Lane. The police cruiser was not involved in the crash itself.
The teen passenger was identified as Karla M. Gamero, a junior at Edison High School. She was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. inside the Nissan, according to authorities and her family. Karla was an active member of her school’s Latin Club and was remembered by loved ones as a vibrant, compassionate young woman with big dreams for her future. In an additional heartbreaking detail, officials confirmed that a dog inside the vehicle also died in the crash.
The driver of the Nissan and other occupants from both vehicles sustained serious injuries and were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment. Officials have not released the identities of the drivers, nor have they announced any charges as of this time. The southbound lanes of Route 1 remained closed for nearly 12 hours as investigators reconstructed the scene, examined debris patterns, and collected evidence to determine the sequence of events leading up to the collision.
Because the crash followed an attempted traffic stop, the Attorney General’s Office is conducting an independent review, as required under New Jersey policy for deaths occurring during police encounters. Investigators are expected to analyze dash camera footage, radio transmissions, speed data, and witness statements. Authorities have emphasized that the review process is designed to ensure transparency and accountability while providing clarity for the families affected and the broader community.
In Edison, news of Karla’s passing has left classmates, teachers, and neighbors devastated. Friends described her as “a bright light — full of kindness, laughter, and dreams,” a sentiment echoed in a GoFundMe campaign established to support her family. The fundraiser has already raised more than $14,000, reflecting the outpouring of support from those touched by her life. School officials are offering counseling services to students coping with grief, especially as the loss comes during the academic year when milestones and activities were still ahead.
As the investigation continues, the tragedy has renewed conversations about high-speed pursuits, road safety, and the risks associated with late-night driving. For now, a community mourns the loss of a young life taken too soon, remembering Karla Gamero not for the crash that ended her life, but for the warmth, ambition, and promise she carried. Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to contact investigators as they work toward a full understanding of what happened that night.
