1 critical after Paterson crash that killed 2 others

PATERSON (WABC) -- A woman remains in critical condition after a car accident in Paterson Saturday morning that left two men dead.

Investigators say speed and wet roads played a part in the crash on Haledon Avenue.

Just after 2 a.m. a car carrying four people crashed into a utility pole after the driver lost control.

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The Hyundai sedan was traveling south at Haledon Ave and North First Street at the time. It is unclear what led to the wreck, but high speed and wet pavement played a role in the collision.

The violent impact of the crash nearly split the car in two as it crashed into the utility pole. The impact was so powerful it startled residents living down the block from the scene.

The driver, 33-year-old DeShawn Moore and the front-seat passenger, 27-year-old Eric Lewis were pronounced dead at the scene.

21-year-old Nicole Reed and Keyshema Francis were both injured in the crash, and had to be extricated from the back seat by emergency responders. Francis remains in critical condition at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center. Reed was also hospitalized, but her injuries are not life-threatening.

All of the victims in the crash were from Paterson. The four had gone out to celebrate a birthday.

Residents say Haledon Ave. is a dangerous block where cars travel downhill just before the road splits.