18-Year-Old Belle Mead Resident Charged with Vehicular Homicide and Fleeing the Scene on Foot

By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | July 28, 2026 (Updated July 30, 2026)

Siddartha Prasad Surapanani, 18, of Belle Mead is charged with 2nd degree vehicular homicide after an accident in Raritan, just north of Hillsborough, on Monday, July 27, police said. The prosecutor said on July 30 that an additional charge, "2nd degree, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death," was added.

Above: Siddartha Prasad Surapanani photograph from police. The red pin above marks the location of the fatal accident.

Police said Surapanani was driving a Genesis SUV when he allegedly crossed over the intersection of Route 202 and First Avenue against a red light in Raritan, ultimately striking the driver’s side door of the Acura SUV.

The driver of the Acura, a female resident of Bridgewater, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Surapanani fled the scene on foot and was subsequently apprehended by members of the Raritan Police Department," according to a press release from Somerset County First Assistant Prosecutor Annemarie L. Mueller. "Surapanani was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries." 

Further investigation yielded numerous reports of Surapanani driving erratically leading up to the collision, including driving in the wrong direction of travel on Route 202 at times, police said.

Somerset County First Assistant Prosecutor Mueller, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay, and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Thomas Fisher announced the arrest of Siddartha Prasad Surapanani, age 18, Belle Mead, in connection the fatal accident that occurred in Raritan the morning of Monday, July 27, at 6:29 a.m.

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Raritan Police Department responded to the scene of a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 202 and First Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed a motor vehicle accident involving a Genesis SUV and Acura SUV.

Members of the Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team along with members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Raritan Police Department responded to investigate. Investigators from the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene. The investigation is currently ongoing pending the results of the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team’s findings.   

Surapanani was arrested and charged with 2^nd degree Vehicular Homicide. He was served with his complaint in a local hospital. Upon discharge from the hospital, defendant Surapanani will be lodged in Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing in this matter. 

First Assistant Prosecutor Mueller, Chief McKay, and Chief Fisher request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Raritan Police Department at (908) 725-6700 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or SCPO.TIPS. All anonymous STOPit reports, and tips will be kept confidential. 

Note: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.