25-Year-Old Kearny Woman Dies in Crash on Route 21 in Newark

Estefania Dilone's vehicle left the highway, passed over a guardrail, and overturned on Riverside Avenue, police say.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A 25-year-old woman from Kearny, New Jersey died in a single-vehicle crash on Route 21 in Newark early Saturday morning. Estefania Dilone's car left the northbound highway, passed over a guardrail, and fell from the elevated road before overturning and landing on Riverside Avenue. Emergency responders had to extricate Dilone from the damaged vehicle, and she was pronounced dead at the hospital. A passenger in the car sustained minor facial injuries.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of late-night driving and the importance of road safety, especially on major highways. Route 21 in Newark is a heavily trafficked corridor, and this crash raises questions about potential hazards or design flaws that may have contributed to the loss of life.

The details

According to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the crash occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday. Newark police received 9-1-1 calls about the single-vehicle incident, with witnesses reporting that Dilone's car left the roadway, passed over a guardrail, fell from the elevated highway, and then overturned on Riverside Avenue below. Emergency responders had to extricate Dilone from the damaged vehicle, and she was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where she was pronounced dead at 2:55 a.m. A passenger in the car also sustained minor facial fractures and was taken to the same hospital.

  • The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • Dilone was pronounced dead at 2:55 a.m. on the same day.

The players

Estefania Dilone

A 25-year-old woman from Kearny, New Jersey who died in the single-vehicle crash on Route 21 in Newark.

Essex County Prosecutor's Office

The law enforcement agency investigating the fatal crash.

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What they’re saying

“Authorities have identified a 25-year-old Hudson County woman who died in a car crash in Newark. Here's what happened, police say.”

— Eric Kiefer, Author (patch.com)

What’s next

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office continues to investigate the crash, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact their tips line.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safe driving, especially on major highways late at night. While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, it highlights the need for continued efforts to improve road safety and prevent such devastating losses of life.