Tickets Issued in Fatal Accidents

Police have issued tickets to the drivers involved in the two fatal car accidents that occurred a month apart in Franklin Lakes. 

The first accident took place on Christmas Eve and claimed the life of 50-year-old Larry Sephton. The second accident was Jan. 24, in which 20 year old Marcus Ruta was killed.

According to the police report, Sephton was attempting to make a left turn onto Colonial Road from McCoy Road when his Cadillac was struck by a Nissan Infinity driven by Ohannes Iskkahanian, of Oakland, which was traveling south on Colonial Road. 

Police Lt. John Bakelaar said speed was a contributing factor in the accident, however, Sephton was responsible to yeild to oncoming traffic. Iskkahanian was issued a summons for Careless Driving. There were no drugs or alcohol involved in the accident. 

In the most recent fatal accident, a 19-year-old driver with a probationary license struck a train on Pulis Avenue. Though the accident is still under investigation, police said driver Jeffery Cohen was restricted to having only one passenger plus a family member. Two friends were in the car with him when he hit the Norfolk Southern train locomotive NS5293 at 8:26 p.m.

Cohen was charged with careless driving, disregard of a railroad crossing and violation of his probationary license. 

"The statute also requires that the driver ensure that all passengers are using seat belts," Lt. Bakelaar told Patch. "The deceased was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Additional charges are pending further investigation."

The motor vehicle charges were filed approximately one week after the event due to the fact that a 30 day statute of limitations exists regarding motor vehicle charges.