Find Your Daily Voice
Officials ID Mom Of Two, 44, Killed By Storms That Swept Through North Plainfield
Officials have identified the 44-year-old woman killed by storms that swept through New Jersey last week.
Diana Ospina, of Middlesex, had pulled over to the side of Greenbrook Road on Thursday, July 3 in North Plainfield, when a large tree and a large portion of the sidewalk uprooted, landing on her 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, local police said.
A GoFundMe launched by Pedro Bessa for Diana's family said she was a mother of two boys, Derek and Jacob. She also leaves behind a loving husband, Robert Ospina. The campaign had raised more than $9,000 as of press time.
"Diana’s love for her f…
Plainfield Victim, 25, Killed By Violent Storm Was Coming Home From Work, Campaign Says
Support is pouring in for the family of Bryan Ernesto Valladares, one of the three victims killed during Thursday’s violent thunderstorm in New Jersey/.
As of Saturday, July 5, more than $4,400 had been raised on a GoFundMe to help send the 25-year-old Plainfield man's body back to his home country of El Salvador and support his grieving family.
Bryan, described as a hard-working young man, was driving home from work around 6:56 p.m. on July 3 when a tree collapsed onto his vehicle, campaign organizer Yoselin Melendez wrote.
“Bryan, only 25 years old, tragically lost his life when a tree f…
Three Killed In New Jersey As Storm Uproots Trees, Crushes Cars, Flattens Homes
A violent thunderstorm that ripped through New Jersey Thursday night, July 3, left three people dead — including a Middlesex woman, a 79-year-old man, and a 25-year-old Plainfield resident — and caused widespread destruction across Union and Somerset counties, officials said.
Storm photos in Edison below (scroll for fatal incidents).
Yesterday’s strong thunderstorm caused many wires, countless trees, branches and other debris to come down but... Posted by Mayor Sam Joshi on Friday, July 4, 2025
North Plainfield:
At around 6:30 p.m., a 44-year-old Middlesex woman was driving a 2018 …
Plainfield Teacher, Soccer Coach Joseph Colodne Dies Suddenly, 46
Multiple New Jersey school and soccer communities are mourning the sudden loss of Joseph “Joe” Colodne, a longtime educator and coach known for his passion, mentorship, and heart.
Colodne, of Fanwood, died unexpectedly Wednesday, June 18, loved ones announced. He was a history teacher at Plainfield High School and an assistant women’s soccer coach at Kean University.
“Joe was so many things,” said Kean women’s soccer head coach Brian Doherty. “A great coach, great mentor, great friend and more than that, just a great person.”
“He was more than just a coach in our program. He was an educato…
NJ Man Killed After Car Bursts Into Flames On Route 78 In Clinton Township: Njsp
A 49-year-old Plainfield man was killed in a fiery crash on Route 78 on Thursday, May 22, authorities said.
At 2:13 a.m., a Hyundai Kona was traveling westbound on Route 78 in Clinton Township when it veered off the roadway to the left, impacted a tree, overturned and was engulfed in flames, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for New Jersey State Police said.
The driver, Isaiah Hunter, sustained fatal injuries, Lebron said. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said.
New North Plainfield Dad, 33, Dies Month After Fourth Child Born
Bryan Jaramillo, a North Plainfield resident, died on Sunday, Feb. 16, a month after his fourth child was born, according to a fundraiser set up to support his family.
Jaramillo is being remembered as a devoted loving and family member who had a special bond with his four children, Jezebel, Jayhail, Jazaya, and Jayce, according to his obituary from the Scarpo-Las Rosas Funeral Home.
Aside from his children, Jaramillo is survived by his sister Mariela and his mother, Susana, his obituary reads.
"Though his time with us was far too short, Bryan’s spirit and the joy he brought to his lov…
Guilty! Plainfield Man Convicted Of Murdering Pregnant Ex-GF: Middlesex County Prosecutor
A 45-year-old Plainfield man was convicted on Thursday, Feb. 6 of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend in 2021, authorities said.
On Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, Shakir Tyler fatally shot Tayeesa Webb, a 35-year-old Edison resident, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Tyler shot her after confronting her outside her residence, Ciccone said.
Tyler was also convicted of unlawful possession of a handgun, Ciccone said. He faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in May, Ciccone said.
Recent High School Grad Killed In Crash Leaves Plainfield Reeling
Steven Marinero, an 18-year-old Plainfield resident died on Tuesday, Dec. 10 after suffering injuries in a car crash on Saturday, Dec. 7, according to a fundraiser set up to support his family.
Marinero, whose photo shows him celebrating graduation from Plainfield High School, was driving eastbound on East 2nd Street when he lost his control of his vehicle and crashed into a parked boat near the intersection, Tapinto reported.
"He was a wonderful brother, son and friend who touched the lives of those around him," Joseline Marinero, who organized the fundraiser wrote. Joseli…
19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says
Nineteen retailers across New Jersey are facing $4,500 after an investigation found they'd been selling flavored vape products banned in the Garden State, the NJ Attorney General's Office said.
All 19 stores were issued a Notice of Violation after they were found to have violated the state's consumer protection laws, AG Matthew Platkin said.
The enforcement actions are the result of a Division investigation into unlawful sales of flavored electronic smoking devices and products, including mint, candy, fruit, and chocolate flavors, Platkin said.
The Division launched its investigation…
Kids Sexually Assaulted In NJ Church Bathroom, Police Say
A 68-year-old Plainfield man has been charged with sexually assaulting two minors in a church in North Plainfield last month, authorities said.
On Sunday, June 23, at 4:38 p.m., police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a sexual assault of a minor earlier that day, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti said.
Pierre Joseph, the suspect, was detained at the church while they awaited police, authorities said
While Joseph was transported for questi…
US Marshals Capture NJ Train Station Murder Suspect In PA, Prosecutor Says
A 44-year-old Plainfield man was arrested in Pennsylvania on Friday, May 10 and charged with a fatal stabbing at a train station in July 2023, authorities said.
At 2 p.m. on July 6, 2023, police responded to the Plainfield train station and found Juquin Smith, 45, suffering from stab wounds, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney said. Smith was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Aswad Spruiel was arrested in Northumberland County, PA., by US Marshals, authorities said. He is in custody in …
Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market
Nine reputed members and associates of the Sex, Money, Murder street gang were charged by Homeland Security agents in New Jersey with peddling fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine at an open-air drug market.
Working with local law enforcers, agents with HSI Investigations Newark homed in on a neighborhood on West 3rd Street in Plainfield where the subset of the Bloods controlled the drug trade, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said.
For months, they witnessed and recorded sales, conducted undercover buys -- some by confidential informants -- and analyzed phone records, the U.S. attorney said.
…
