Iselin man charged with police chase crash that killed Edison High student

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
Iselin man charged with police chase crash that killed Edison High student

Warrant for Mikael Salman's arrest. MIDDLESEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE/Court Record

WOODBRIDGE, N.J., April 16 (ZFJ) — Mikael Salman, 18, of Iselin, has been charged with causing a crash that killed a juvenile passenger in Woodbridge, New Jersey, on Feb. 19, 2026.

On that day, shortly before midnight, Woodbridge Police Officer Khari Manzini, who was uniformed, attempted to pull over a 2003 Nissan Maxima with New York registration on Route 1 heading south for allegedly speeding, according to a statement from the N.J. Attorney General’s Office (NJOAG) and a police affidavit from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO).

Police say the Nissan fled from the officer “at speeds greatly exceeding the posted speed limit,” prompting him to pursue it. About one minute later, the Nissan crashed into a 2004 Buick with Pennsylvania registration on its passenger side at the intersection of Route 1 South and Gill Lane.

According to video obtained during the investigation, the Nissan had a red light.

The Buick driver sustained a broken arm and the Buick passenger suffered “serious bodily injuries.” The juvenile passenger, identified by her family as Edison High School student Karla M. Gamero, 17, was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:25 on Feb. 20. Salman, identified by police as the Nissan’s driver, was injured. All patients were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for treatment. Police also found a dead dog in the Nissan.

The police vehicle was not directly involved in the collision.

County prosecutors have charged Salman with the following offenses:

  • first degree aggravated manslaughter while eluding
  • second degree vehicular homicide
  • second degree eluding
  • three counts of second degree aggravated assault
  • third degree aggravated assault
  • third degree endangering the welfare of a child
  • fourth degree assault by auto
  • disorderly persons offense assault by auto
  • disorderly persons offense animal cruelty

The prosecution’s motion to hold Salman in jail pending trial was granted on April 7, 2026, according to online state judiciary records. His case review has been scheduled for June 24, 2026.

Salman’s defense attorney, Jason A. Seidman, did not respond to a ZFJ request for comment by phone.

MCPO is handling the criminal investigation, which is active and ongoing. Since a person’s death occurred in an encounter with law enforcement, state law requires that the NJOAG Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) investigate the officer’s actions.

The charges against Mikael Salman are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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