July 4, 2020
ROBBINSVILLE, EAST WINDSOR, HAMILTON, NJ (MERCER)–If you were lucky enough to be outside this afternoon around 5:15 you would have seen a military fly over called “Salute To The Great Cities Of The American Revolution” en route from New York City to Philadelphia.
Trenton, NJ the home of the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area where just north of there General George Washington crossed the Delaware on December 25, 1776 was not on the official list of the “Great Cities”
Still the region from the Monmouth Battlefield, extending though Cranbury, Hightstown, Robbinsville, Hamilton and turning at Trenton towards Philadelphia was still able to see the fly over even though it was not officially on the program.
Spectators were able to see a variety of aircraft from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps including: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, followed by B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers, F-15 and F-22 fighters and U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighters in transit from New York City to Philadelphia.
Secretary Esper approved a Department of the Interior request for DOD support to the 2020 Salute to America. DOD will provide aerial, musical and ceremonial support to this year’s celebration in Washington, D.C. This year’s support will also include a flyover of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, as well an aerial salute to several cities that played roles in the American Revolution.
The highlight of this year’s celebration will be our salute to the Great Cities of the American Revolution. The flyovers will begin in Boston and proceed to New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. From there they will join other Department of Defense and heritage aircraft in the Salute to America over our nation’s capital. In all, roughly 1,700 service members will support the celebrations.
The aircraft are scheduled to overfly each of the cities, beginning at approximately 4:00 pm, then fly on to the next city. U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps jets will fly over in five waves. The flyovers will be led by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, followed by B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers, F-15 and F-22 fighters and U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighters.
BOSTON: The aircraft are scheduled to overfly the center of the city at approximately 4:00 pm approaching from the northeast at 1,000 feet above the ground. Multiple aircraft will overfly the U.S.S. Constitution and then proceed over Fenway Park before departing the city.
NEW YORK: The aircraft are scheduled to fly down the Hudson River at approximately 5:00 pm and pass just east of the Statue of Liberty.
PHILADELPHIA: The aircraft are scheduled to overfly the center of the city at approximately 5:15 pm approaching from the northeast at 1,000 feet above the ground. Multiple aircraft will fly over Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and then proceed southwest out of the city.
BALTIMORE: The aircraft are scheduled to overfly Fort McHenry at approximately 5:30 pm approaching from the northeast at 1,000 feet above the ground. Multiple aircraft will overfly Fort McHenry before turning south out of the city.
The flyovers provide an opportunity for DOD to demonstrate the capabilities and professionalism of the United States Armed Forces. Flying hours are a sunk cost for the Department of Defense, and these aircraft and crews would be using these hours for proficiency and training at other locations if they were not conducting these flyovers.
DOD is proud to help celebrate the nation’s 244th birthday. We are grateful for our nation’s support as we defend our country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Photos below by: Dennis Symons from East Windsor looking towards Hightstown and Robbinsville
“Salute To The Great Cities Of The American Revolution” as seen from the hill at the East Windsor Cemetery looking towards Hightstown and Robbinsville. Photos by: Dennis Symons MidJersey.News
Photos below by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News from the Scenic Overlook on I-295 in Hamilton Township
Photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News from the Scenic Overlook on I-295 in Hamilton Township
Police want you to know; “If you have had too many alcohol beverages to drink during this holiday weekend, we urge you to make alternate arrangements instead of driving yourself. These type of incidents only put many others at risk.”
July 4, 2020 update at 1:30 pm
SEE THIS MORNING’S BREAKING NEWS REPORT HERE: BREAKING: Car Under Water At Mercer County Park Boathouse
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)—At 11:19 pm West Windsor Police and Mercer County Rangers were detailed to 1 South Post Road at the Mercer County Boat Ramp next to the Mercer County Boathouse for a vehicle submerged in Lake Mercer. Patrol Units initially met with the operator of the vehicle, identified at Lauren K. Engel of Dumont, NJ who had escaped from her underwater 2010 Nissan Rogue. The West Windsor Division of Fire and Emergency Services, West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company #1, Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company, Hightstown Dive Team, and Grover’s Mill Towing were detailed to the scene to search and locate the vehicle and determine if any others were in the vehicle.
It was determined the Engel sustained a minor injury and no other persons had been inside of the sunken Rogue. Engel was evaluated by members of the West Windsor Emergency Services and declined transport to a hospital.
The initial investigation revealed that Engel had been attempting to exit the Mercer County Park during a heavy rainstorm possibly up to (2) hours earlier. The delay was due to Engel having no means to contact the WWPD or anyone else at that time of night during a storm and given her secluded location. Ptl. Caulfield, the Lead Investigator, determined Engel to be Driving While Intoxicated at the scene. Engle was transported to the WWPD for processing. Grover’s Mill Towing retrieved the underwater Nissan which sustained sever water damage. The retrieving of the submerged vehicle took over (2) hours.
Traffic Officer Brown is the Lead Investigator in this collision while Ptl. Caulfield is the Lead Investigator into the DWI portion of the collaborative investigation. The driver was issued summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, Carless Driving by Ptl. Caulfield, and released pending a future date at the West Windsor Township Municipal Court.
None of the first responders of the owner-operators of the Grover’s Mill Towing were injured during the search for additional persons or retrieval of the Rogue.
The incident is still under investigation by the West Windsor Township Police Traffic Division. If you have any information of substance, please contact Traffic Officer Brown at [email protected] or Traffic Sgt. Bal at [email protected]
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Full press release from West Windsor Police here: http://local.nixle.com/alert/8095604/
SEE UPDATED STORY HERE: UPDATE: Driving While Intoxicated Leads To Car Sunk Into Lake Mercer By Boathouse
BREAKING NEWS REPORT: Information provided is from on scene reports. Once official information is released the story will be updated and any corrections and additions made.
July 3, 2020 incident approximately 11:15 pm. Time of report 1:45 am July 4, 2020
1:47 am update, divers were back in the water assisting the tow truck company hooking up cables to pull the car out of the water.
2:05 am update divers were out of the water and car was being pulled out by the tow trucks.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)—Around 11:15 pm Mercer County Park Rangers and West Windsor Police requested West Windsor Fire Company and Princeton Junction Fire Company for a car in the water. West Windsor Emergency Services EMS evaluated one person on scene, who was the suspected driver. Hightstown Fire Company was requested for the dive team.
Boats searched the lake for the car in the water and it was found by the dock for the Mercer County Park Boathouse. Hightstown Fire Company put a diver in the water to check for any additional occupants and the vehicle was searched but no other occupants were found.
Crews were still on scene at 1:45 am waiting for additional tow trucks to arrive to pull the vehicle from the water.
Once West Windsor Police Department releases more information the story will be updated with further details.
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