December 5, 2023
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–MidJersey News is saddened to report the passing of our friend and colleague, veteran news photographer/videographer Brian McCarthy, who died on Nov. 28, 2023 following a brief hospital stay. Brian was a loyal supporter of MidJersey News from the beginning and his photos have featured prominently on this site over the past four years.
In a career that spanned nearly 50 years, Brian photographed presidents and politicians, Hollywood actors and rock stars, race car drivers and athletes. He photographed combat overseas and peaceful protests closer to home. He photographed community events, charity fundraisers and parades.
But he was best known for his photos and videos showing the work of firefighters, police, emergency medical professionals, the military, and other first responders in the Mercer County area. Brian responded to fires, crashes, crimes and other breaking news incidents not because he wanted to exploit such tragedies. Instead, he did so because – through his camera lens – he wanted to document the positive things that emergency services personnel do day in and day out. He wanted the public to see the heroism and humanity of first responders in the face of such horrors.
For this work, Brian earned the respect of many in the emergency services community. Tributes to Brian and memories of him are being posted on his Facebook page by active and retired firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, as well as longtime friends and fans.
Brian worked as an assignment photographer for United Press International and as a longtime freelancer for both of Trenton’s daily newspapers and other publications. He was also a publisher in his own right, having printed various community news publications over the years. In the digital age, his work has appeared all over Facebook and YouTube.
“I’m Brian McCarthy and you’re on scene with me at… Let’s see what’s going on.” That was how Brian usually introduced his videos. In those videos, Brian always sought to inform and educate his viewing public about what was going on and how emergency personnel were working to save the day.
A native of Massachusetts, Brian and his family moved to New Jersey after his father – Walter “Pep” McCarthy, previously the head football coach at Boston Latin School – was hired as the freshman football coach at Princeton University in 1960. After 10 seasons coaching, “Pep” McCarthy assumed top administrative roles in Princeton University’s athletics department.
Sadly, Brian’s mother Ruth passed away in 1973 and his father was killed in a car crash in 1977. MidJersey extends our condolences to Brian’s daughter Shannon, his sister Lauren and his brother Sean.
December 5, 2023–Update
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–New Jersey State Police Detective I Jeffrey Lebron told MidJersey.news that Troopers responded to a motor vehicle accident on December 5, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. on I-195 east milepost 3.2 in Hamilton, Mercer County. Based on a preliminary investigation, a Toyota pick-up was traveling eastbound on I-195 in the area of milepost 3.2 at exit 3A. The Toyota lost directional control while attempting to negotiate the curve, running off the road subsequently impacting a tree and catching on fire. As a result of the crash, the driver, Dillon C. Michaels, 30-year-old male of Hilton Head, S.C., sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation and there is no further information available.
Earlier MidJersey.news story:
NJ State Police Investigates Serious Crash on I-195 in Hamilton Township
December 5, 2023
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 12:04 p.m. today December 5, 2023 NJ State Police, Hamilton Township Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Captial Health Paramedics responded to I-195 East Bound near mile post 3.2 near Exit 3 for a motor vehicle crash with fire. Upon arrival firefighters found a pickup truck that crashed into a tree and was heavily involved in fire and quickly extinguished the fire. New Jersey State Police Serious Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the crash. There was no word on injuries or condition of any occupants. No further information is available at this time.
NJ State Police Investigates Serious Crash on I-195 in Hamilton Township
December 5, 2023
FREEHOLD – A Howell Township man has admitted to intentionally killing his pet cat earlier this year, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Tuesday.
During a hearing yesterday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Scott C. Arnette, 29-year-old Christopher Sanchez pled guilty to charges of third-degree Animal Cruelty by Unnecessarily or Cruelly Abusing a Living Animal, Resulting in its Death, and Simple Assault, a disorderly persons offense.
An investigation into Sanchez’s activities was initiated on Friday, March 31, when members of the Howell Township Police Department who were dispatched to a residence for an unrelated matter found the body of the cat outside the home.
Members of the Howell Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Humane Law Enforcement Division conducted an investigation determining that the cat, named Lilith, had belonged to Sanchez, who is alleged to have used a sharp instrument to kill it two days earlier.
Sanchez was arrested on the same day as the initial police response. The Simple Assault charge was filed against him because he physically attacked his roommate shortly after killing the cat.
This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Keri-Leigh Schaefer and Sevan Biramian.
Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for Friday, January 26, 2024, at which time the State intends to recommend a sentence of five years in state prison – the maximum permitted under state law – including an order to sign a consent order permanently banning him from ever again owning an animal as a pet.
Howell Township Man Charged In Killing Pet Cat
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
Liven Up Your Off Season as a Fire Company Volunteer!
December 5, 2023
SHIP BOTTOM, NJ (OCEAN)–The seasonal crowds are gone, leaving those who live or work here year-round with a quieter, slower island. Want to liven things up? Become a Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company (SBVFC) volunteer.
“The off-season is training season,” said SBVFC Chief Todd MacLennan. Of the about 300 emergency calls SBVFC answers annually, roughly half take place in the three summer months. Fewer responses allow the fire company to get busy with practice burns and other training sessions that are difficult to fit in during the summer, MacLennan said.
The lower call volume mean experienced firefighters, water rescue associates, and fire police have more time to mentor new volunteers – something especially valuable for those without previous experience, MacLennan said.
“It’s like getting into the pool – come on over and put your toe in first,” he said. “Come to a meeting, meet everybody, come to a drill. This is definitely the best time of year to join.”
The Kids Went to College, Dad Went to Fire School
Volunteer Firefighter Peter Maschal signed up with SBVFC and enrolled in fire school shortly after his twin daughters left for college. Fall 2010 was the perfect time not just because of his emptied nest, he said, but because his chiropractic practice has a less hectic schedule after the seasonal residents leave.
“I was looking for a way to give back to my community, to help my neighbors,” he said. “The fact that my work schedule slows down a bit in the off-season meant it was easier to make the commitment to go to classes for firefighting.”
Maschal had no previous firefighting experience, but the free training and the drills with seasoned SBVFC firefighters meant “I knew what I was doing when I went on the fire truck,” he said. “I had confidence.”
The Joy of Teamwork
Volunteer Firefighter Aidan Ryan played baseball in college and after graduation, missed the brotherhood of his teammates. “That was a huge draw to firefighting for me,” said Ryan, an insurance agent who has served on the SBVFC team for three years. “Being able to be part of a team, something bigger than myself, and helping the community is pretty awesome.”
Being a firefighter is fun, and helping people feels great – whether someone is in trouble on the water or roadway, a structure is burning, or any other of the myriad reasons people need help. “Something as simple as changing out a smoke detector can make a huge impact and prevent major tragedies, and that’s just a good feeling,” he said.
Many Ways to Make a Difference
MacLennan, the SBVFC chief, said the fire company reflects the Ship Bottom community, and both seasonal and year-round residents and people who work on the island make important contributions to the fire company.
He and other volunteers commute off the island for work, MacLennan said, and the contributions of volunteers who live elsewhere but spend their work days in Ship Bottom is invaluable. Seasonal resident volunteers, many of whom are firefighters or lifeguards elsewhere during the off-season, mean SBVFC benefits from more volunteers when call volumes are highest.
Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company needs multiple kinds of volunteers.• Firefighters respond to fires, water rescues, car accidents, and other emergencies.• Water rescue specialists utilize their skills to rescue people from the water• Fire Police bring calm and order to all emergencies by managing crowds and traffic.• Junior firefighters are teen members who train with and assist and can become full firefighters at 18.
• Administrative members perform non-emergency roles including fundraising, event support, truck maintenance, and much more.
“People who take on non-emergency roles are valuable fire company volunteers whose work allows the fire company to keep helping people and eases the burden of emergency volunteers,” Maschal said.
To learn more or volunteer with Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company, visit shipbottomfirefighters.org
December 5, 2023
Update:
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 12:04 p.m. today December 5, 2023 NJ State Police, Hamilton Township Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Captial Health Paramedics responded to I-195 East Bound near mile post 3.2 near Exit 3 for a motor vehicle crash with fire. Upon arrival firefighters found a pickup truck that crashed into a tree and was heavily involved in fire and quickly extinguished the fire. New Jersey State Police Serious Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the crash. There was no word on injuries or condition of any occupants. No further information is available at this time.
Original MidJersey.news story:
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 12:04 p.m. today December 5, 2023 NJ State Police, Hamilton Township Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Captial Health Paramedics responded to I-195 East Bound near mile post 3.2 near Exit 3 for a motor vehicle crash with fire. Upon arrival firefighters found a pickup truck that crashed into a tree and was heavily involved in fire and quickly extinguished the fire. New Jersey State Police Serious Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the crash. There was no word on injuries or condition of any occupants. No further information is available at this time.
Crash investigation and Vehicle fire on I-195 eastbound at Exit 3 – Hamilton Square-Yardville Rd (Hamilton Twp) 1 Right lane of 3 lanes closed 5-10 minute delay use caution https://t.co/tlmg0c2M05
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) December 5, 2023
Vehicle fire on I-195 eastbound at Exit 3 – Hamilton Square-Yardville Rd (Hamilton Twp) 1 Right lane and shoulder of 2 lanes closed 5-10 minute delay use caution https://t.co/2qdDDObisB
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) December 5, 2023
Crash investigation and Vehicle fire on I-195 eastbound ramp to Exit 3 – Hamilton Square-Yardville Rd (Hamilton Twp) 1 Right lane of 3 lanes closed 5-10 minute delay use caution https://t.co/8HABUdDBYP
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) December 5, 2023
Crash investigation and Vehicle fire on I-195 eastbound ramp to Exit 3 – Hamilton Square-Yardville Rd (Hamilton Twp) 1 Right lane of 3 lanes closed ramp closed 5-10 minute delay https://t.co/7H1fHaufWK
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) December 5, 2023
Crash investigation and Vehicle fire on I-195 eastbound at Exit 3 – Hamilton Square-Yardville Rd (Hamilton Twp) 1 Right lane of 3 lanes closed 10-15 minute delay use caution https://t.co/lUSiX83ghX
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) December 5, 2023
