Child dies in Rt. 23 crash

Wantage — A 6-year-old girl was killed and five people were injured in a crash on Route 23 Saturday, June 13, at about 5:20 p.m., according to a report from New Jersey State Police. The accident occurred as Thomas A. VanDunk, 24, of Port Jervis, N.Y., driving northbound, lost control of his Jeep Grand Cherokee on the curved roadway, and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic. He was hit by an oncoming Jeep Wrangler driven by Diego Vintmilla, 43, of Vernon. Vintmilla and a 5-year-old passenger in his car were taken to St. Clare’s Hospital in Sussex. He was treated for head and neck pain and the child for abdominal pain. VanDunk and his passengers were taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital. The 6-year-old girl had been sitting in the right front passenger’s side, which was hit in the crash. She died from her injuries. Other passengers in his car were: a 5-year-old boy, who was treated for minor laceration; a 3-year-old girl who was treated for minor head trauma. VanDunk was treated for minor laceration.