NEW YORK – An Indo-American, accused of driving with suspended license and allegedly killing three people in a New Jersey road accident, faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted on the second degree multiple count charges, media report said on Wednesday.
Twenty-two year Bhavuk Uppal was allegedly drunk as he drove through a construction zone on I-80 just after 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Uppal was driving in a Cadillac Escalade and allegedly rear-ended a Kia, which then crashed into an SUV.
The Kia burst into flames, killing a young mother who was pregnant, her husband and their infant child in the backseat. Two other people inside the car were treated for injuries.
Uppal who has a long history of motor vehicle violations, has been charged with three counts of death by automobile, two counts of assault by automobile, causing death or injury and possession of drug paraphernalia as well as driving while intoxicated, weekly newspaper News India-Times reported.
“He has infractions for speeding, unsafe driving, driving without a license, fictitious plates, reckless driving, driving while suspended and has been involved in multiple crashes,” prosecutor Matthew Brown was quoted as saying.
The authorities were awaiting results from the blood alcohol levels tests.
“If the charges are to remain at second degree, he could be jailed for 50 years. If upgraded, it could be life,” added chief assistant prosecutor Matthew Troiano.
Meanwhile, Morristown Superior Court Judge William McGovern has increased Uppal’s bail from the initial $300,000 with no 10 percent option to $750,000 with no 10 percent option.
Uppal is currently in the Morristown County Correctional Facility and the next court hearing is set for August 11.
According to the preliminary investigation, K Santiago-Madera, 26, of the Bronx was stopped in traffic in a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the left-center lane of westbound Route 80 at milepost 34.7, near Exit 34B (Route 15) at 1:37 a.m. A 2004 Kia sedan also was stopped behind the Jeep.
According to the State Police report, Uppal was driving a 2014 Cadillac Escalade in the left-center lane when he struck the Kia, which then hit the Jeep, causing the Kia to become “fully engulfed” in flames. Uppal’s Cadillac ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned in a grass embankment while the Kia exploded into flames, killing the people inside.
Santiago-Madera and his passenger in the Jeep, Brandon Green, 32, also of the Bronx, were taken to Morristown Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Uppal also was taken to Morristown Medical Center, where he was treated and released. Uppal was then taken to Netcong Station of the State Police, where he was charged.
Uppal’s driving record was described as “nothing short of horrendous” due to infractions such as speeding, unsafe driving, reckless driving, using fake license plates and driving while suspended.
Uppal’s prior criminal history includes six arrests since 2009 on charges ranging from theft to failing to turn over a controlled dangerous substance to law enforcement, reported NJ.com.
The assistant prosecutor told NJ.com that authorities suspect the Escalade involved in the fatal accident Saturday morning didn’t belong to Uppal and additional charges related to the vehicle may be pending.
