- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Paterson Today
By the People, for the People
Two Men Killed in Fiery Jackson Crash
Police identify victims as Denis Ricardo Zelaya Zapata and Edwin Ramon Montolla Padilla
Published on Feb. 19, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Police in Jackson, New Jersey have released the names of the two men who died in a fiery crash early Sunday morning. Denis Ricardo Zelaya Zapata, 29, of Toms River was driving a 2023 Toyota Highlander with passenger Edwin Ramon Montolla Padilla, 36, of Paterson when the vehicle crashed into a tree and burst into flames. Officers arriving at the scene were unable to save the two men from the burning vehicle.
Why it matters
This tragic incident highlights the dangers of high-speed driving and the importance of traffic safety, especially on local roads. The Jackson Police Department is urging any witnesses to come forward to aid in their investigation of the crash.
The details
According to police, a 911 call was placed around 12:08 a.m. about a transformer down in the road, followed by other calls about the crash on Hyson Road. Officers arriving at the scene found the SUV engulfed in flames but were unable to save Zelaya Zapata and Montolla Padilla.
- The crash occurred early Sunday morning, February 15, 2026.
The players
Denis Ricardo Zelaya Zapata
A 29-year-old resident of Toms River, New Jersey who was driving the Toyota Highlander involved in the fatal crash.
Edwin Ramon Montolla Padilla
A 36-year-old resident of Paterson, New Jersey who was the passenger in the Toyota Highlander involved in the fatal crash.
What’s next
The Jackson Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit continues to investigate the crash and is urging anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Officer Matthew Kalbach.
The takeaway
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safe and responsible driving, especially on local roads. The Jackson community is mourning the loss of these two young men and hoping the police investigation can provide answers and prevent similar crashes in the future.
