Bridgewater Township resident charged in Raritan Borough Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision
Somerville, N.J.

– Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Raymond Nolte announced the filing of a Criminal Complaint on Monday, March 1, 2021, against retired police officer Kevin D. Betyeman, 56, of Maple Street in Bridgewater Township in relation to a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred along Old York Road in Raritan Borough in September 2020.

Somerset County Prosecutor Robertson stated the Complaint alleges that around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2020, defendant Betyeman was operating a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and traveling eastbound on Old York Road when his vehicle struck and killed Celeste Andresen, 60, of San Manuel, Arizona.

Police say that at the time of the collision, Andresen was attempting to cross Old York Road near Woodmere Street and was in a well-marked crosswalk. The Complaint further alleges that defendant Betyeman’s blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) was above the legal limit of 0.08% BAC several hours after the collision and that he denied having consumed any alcohol or intoxicating substances when asked by police at the scene.

Prosecutor Robertson stated the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) and Raritan Borough Police are conducting a joint investigation which is ongoing. Raritan Borough Police have previously charged defendant Betyeman with motor vehicle Summons with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, and failing to yield to a pedestrian. Prosecutor Robertson stated defendant Betyeman will be required to appear before a Superior Court Judge for an Arraignment on the Criminal Complaint no later than sixty days from its issuance.

Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, and Chief Nolte request that anyone with information relating to this event to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Raritan Borough 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 smartphone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Celeste Andresen, 60, beloved sister, wife, aunt, and friend, died on September 18, 2020. Born and raised in Raritan, NJ, she was a long-time resident of San Manuel, Arizona, where she lived with her husband Jim. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Antoinette Andresen of Raritan.

For Celeste, nature was her work, recreation, and sanctuary. She loved her job with The Nature Conservancy as a land manager on the 7B Ranch on Arizona’s San Pedro River. She was an avid birder who loved plants, animals, and the cycles of the Earth. Celeste loved the Desert Southwest where she hiked and camped, but she also loved the East Coast, where she often visited her cherished family.

She was a passionate advocate for the environment. She was at home in the desert, where she was a steward of the land. She dedicated herself to the preservation of nature for the future of all life. Though her stature may have been small, anyone who knew Celeste knew her gigantic heart.

Celeste is survived by husband James Bergstrom, brother Doug Andresen (Clare), brother Marc Andresen (Kris Cupillari), sister Jennifer Armstrong (Mike), brother Karl Andresen (Jean Sarantos), brother Matt Andresen (Loring Nagle), nephew Jake Andresen (Amanda), niece Sarah Andresen, and many relatives and friends.

Contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/en-us/membership-and-giving/donate-to-our-mission/other-ways-to-give/honor-and-tribute-giving/