Honestly, it’s the kind of news story that makes you pull over and take a breath. When the headlines first broke about a massive collision in Morris County, everyone in town was looking for answers. The name Diane Goetz Randolph NJ quickly became tied to one of the most heartbreaking traffic incidents in recent New Jersey history.
It wasn’t just a fender bender. It was a four-vehicle catastrophe at the intersection of Route 10 and Millbrook Avenue that left four people dead, including a preschooler. For months, the community waited. People wanted to know why a 71-year-old woman in a Mercedes-Benz would suddenly accelerate to nearly 100 mph and fly through a red light.
Was it road rage? Was it a mechanical failure?
In late 2025, investigators finally closed the book on the case. They basically confirmed what many had quietly suspected: this wasn't a crime, but a medical tragedy.
What Really Happened on Millbrook Avenue
On April 10, 2025, around 3:20 p.m., Diane Goetz was driving her 2015 Mercedes-Benz north on Millbrook Avenue. It’s a busy time of day. Schools are letting out, people are heading to the shops, and the local traffic is heavy.
According to the official reports from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Goetz’s car suddenly sped up. She wasn't just creeping over the limit; she hit approximately 96 mph. The car drifted into the southbound lane and blew right through a red light at the Route 10 intersection.
The impact was violent.
She slammed into a 2011 Honda CRV and a 2019 Dodge Caravan. The Caravan was carrying employees and students from the P.G. Chambers School in Cedar Knolls—a school that does incredible work with children who have disabilities.
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The Lives Lost in the Collision
- Diane Goetz, 71, of Randolph (The driver of the Mercedes)
- Bertha Castaneda, 67, of Dover (The driver of the school van)
- Maria Z. Figueroa, 58, of Wharton (A passenger in the van)
- Yexsel Reyes Granados, 4, of Hackettstown (A student in the van)
It’s just devastating. A four-year-old boy lost his life. Two women who dedicated their careers to helping kids with special needs were gone. And Diane Goetz, a longtime resident of the community, was also killed instantly.
The Investigation into Diane Goetz
For a long time, there was a lot of tension in the local social media groups. People were angry. How do you go 96 mph on Millbrook Avenue by accident?
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office CSI Unit, and the Randolph Police Department spent eight months digging into the "why." They looked at the car's computer data and her medical history.
By December 2025, Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll made the final call. The crash was ruled non-criminal. Investigators found that Diane Goetz likely suffered an "unspecified medical episode."
Basically, her body failed her. Whether it was a seizure, a heart event, or something else that caused her foot to floor the gas pedal, she wasn't in control. There was zero evidence of criminal intent. No drugs, no alcohol, no cell phone use. Just a terrible, localized medical emergency that had ripples across the entire county.
A Community Left Picking Up the Pieces
Even though the legal case is closed, the grief in Randolph and surrounding towns like Dover and Wharton is still very much alive.
GoFundMe campaigns were set up for the victims' families, specifically for young Yexsel Reyes Granados and another child, Hunter, who survived the crash but faced a long road of surgeries for a broken collarbone and displaced hips. The community ended up raising tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a small silver lining, but it shows how people in Morris County show up for each other when things get dark.
Diane Ewa Goetz herself was a part of this community for decades. Her obituary mentions deep friendships spanning over 40 years. It’s a reminder that in these high-profile tragedies, there are no "villains"—only families who are hurting on all sides of the intersection.
Actionable Takeaways and Safety Lessons
While you can't always predict a medical emergency, there are things we can keep in mind to stay safer on roads like Route 10:
- Dashcam Documentation: In cases like this, dashcam footage from other drivers was crucial for investigators to see the "drifting" behavior that suggested a medical issue rather than intentional reckless driving.
- Check on Senior Drivers: If you have older relatives, regular medical screenings are vital. Sometimes subtle changes in health can affect driving long before a major episode occurs.
- Intersection Awareness: Route 10 and Millbrook is a high-volume area. Even when you have the green light, a quick glance for cross-traffic can—in some rare cases—save a life.
- Support Local Institutions: Schools like P.G. Chambers provide essential services. Supporting them through donations or volunteering is a great way to honor the memory of the staff lost in this accident.
This was a heartbreaking chapter for Randolph, but the conclusion of the investigation at least provides some clarity. It wasn't a crime; it was a tragedy.
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Next Steps for Residents:
If you want to support the ongoing recovery of the survivors or honor the victims, consider donating to the P.G. Chambers School or checking the verified GoFundMe pages for the Figueroa and Reyes Granados families. For those concerned about road safety at this specific intersection, you can attend the Randolph Township Council meetings to stay updated on any proposed traffic flow or safety improvements.