NEWARK — Alberto "Al" Coutinho, the first Portuguese-American to serve in the New Jersey Legislature, died Sunday morning in a fiery two-vehicle crash on Route 21. He was 56.

The crash occurred around 7:30 a.m. near South Street. Multiple 911 callers reported a violent collision; one vehicle burst into flames on impact. Firefighters pulled Coutinho from the burning car. Paramedics performed CPR as they rushed him to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

A second person was injured. Their condition is not life-threatening.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is investigating.

Coutinho represented Newark's Ironbound section in the 29th District from 2008 to 2013, having previously served a brief appointment in 1997. Before the Legislature, he sat on Newark's Zoning Board of Adjustment and Central Planning Board.

He worked most recently as managing partner at Alter International, a business development firm.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Sources

• Richard L. Smith, "Former NJ Assemblyman Al Coutinho Killed in Fiery Crash on Route 21 in Newark," RLS Media (March 29, 2026)

• David Wildstein, "Albert Coutinho, former assemblyman, killed in car accident at 56," New Jersey Globe (March 29, 2026)