July 5, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD, MILLSTONE, NJ (MONMOUTH)–JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Another weekend another traffic jam at Six Flags Great Adventure on Route 537 in Jackson Township. The Jackson Township Police Department earlier today issued a “Traffic Advisory” for a high volume of traffic heading into Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor. Jackson Township Police closed jug handles at intersections/traffic lights to try and help keep the traffic flowing.
Google Traffic was showing backups on County Road 537 West Bound 2 miles from Holmson to Great Adventure Gate. County Route 537 East Bound backed up over 2 miles from past Hawkin Road to the Great Adventure Gate. Interstate I-195 East bound was backed up at times over 4 miles or 5 miles from the Great Adventure Gate.
Local roadways were also backed up as people tried to find other was into the park. Problems were reported on Emely’s Hill Road, Millers Mill Road, Pine Drive and others. Residents reported being blocked in their own driveways by the traffic and gridlock conditions.
NJ Department of Transportation 511NJ issued several Tweets today on Six Flags Great Adventure Traffic:
Delays on I-195 eastbound ramp to westbound Exit 16 – CR 537/Great Adventure (Jackson Twp) All lanes open delays due to volume https://t.co/jSg5Kcuy8A
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) July 5, 2021
Delays on I-195 eastbound from Exit 11 – CR 524 (Upper Freehold Twp) to Exit 16 – CR 537/Great Adventure (Jackson Twp) current travel time is 10-15 minutes https://t.co/Xr2MsiAWWy
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) July 5, 2021
Delays on I-195 eastbound ramp to westbound Exit 16 – CR 537/Great Adventure (Jackson Twp) All lanes open delays due to volume https://t.co/4KV8UUqLU5
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) July 5, 2021
Facebook user Joline B. from Millstone wrote:
The Great Adventure traffic has bled over onto Pine Drive. Our driveways are blocked by cars, in gridlock, looking for a way to shortcut into GA. There is no shortcut through this neighborhood!!! No one answers the traffic line at the Jackson Sate Police location. We are all stuck at home. This is ridiculous. Great Adventure needs to fund/supply additional police so that this does NOT happen. Very frustrated and it is getting worse by the week.
Jackson Township Police Traffic Advisory for July 5, 2021:
**TRAFFIC ADVISORY**
Rt. 537/Monmouth Road is experiencing a high volume of traffic heading in to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor. Our Officers and NJSP are in the area monitoring the situation and also dealing with multiple minor motor vehicle accidents. We have just been advised that the majority of the traffic appears to be heading to Hurricane Harbor and as a result the water park has just reached its attendance capacity and it has been closed to further entry. As a result the traffic backup will likely get worse. Please use caution if you need to travel through the area.
June 6, 2021 MidJersey.news article on Six Flags Great Adventure Traffic: Traffic Alert: Avoid 537 In Area Of Great Adventure Due To Traffic Jam; Jackson Police Issue Statement On Traffic
Note these photos were taken later in the day after the traffic started to subside. We did not want to get caught up in the gridlock conditions as shown by Google Maps and reported from several residents living in the area.
July 5, 2021
By: Dennis Symons and Michael Ratcliffe
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)-Just after 8:00 a.m. the Trenton Fire Department received reports that multiple houses were on fire on South Logan Avenue. When Trenton firefighters arrived they were met with heavy fire on the second and third floors of 60 South Logan Avenue, with fire spreading to the attached exposure building at 62 South Logan. A full first alarm or “all hands” was called. Firefighters attempted an aggressive interior attack but were pushed back by very stubborn flames. As interior conditions deteriorated and became unsafe, an evacuation order was given and all firefighters were pulled out of both structures. Firefighters changed air bottles and fought the blaze from the exterior with numerous hoselines. Ultimately, portions of the fire-weakened 60 South Logan collapsed. Two dogs were pulled from the buildings by Trenton firefighters. One was saved. Firefighters and Trenton EMS personnel attempted CPR on other dog, but sadly it reportedlydied.
Fire Marshals from Trenton, the State of New Jersey and Trenton Police Department were requested to the scene. Trenton Road Department was requested to respond with several barricades to close sidewalk and street in front of the burned out homes.
7/9/2021 UPDATE: 30 Year-Old Trenton Man Arrested In Murder of 16-Year-Old Dion Ellis
July 5, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)-Interim Trenton Police Director Steve E. Wilson today announced that the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department is investigating a shooting that took place in the area of Prospect Street and Stuyvesant Avenue early this morning and injured two 16-year-old males, one fatally.
Police responded to the area of Prospect Street and Stuyvesant Avenue at approximately 12:45 a.m. and found two victims. Dion Ellis, 16, a City of Trenton lifeguard, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other individual is currently being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg.
The TPD urges anyone with information on this case to contact Mercer County Homicide Task Force Detective Shawn Bruton at 609-989-6406. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected].
“The Trenton Police Department is assisting the Mercer County Homicide Task Force in the effort to solve this horrible crime,” said Director Wilson. “When the lives of our young people are taken in this manner, I take it personally and will dedicate as many resources as possible to stemming the violence.”
“We’re seeing senseless violence touch us once again during a weekend when we should feel safe as we celebrate with friends and family,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “The city has lost not just a vibrant life, but one that protected our children.”
City Residents, Friends, Family and Co-workers plead “IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING PLEASE COME FORWARD”
Photo from Facebook provided
“I would like to offer my condolences to the Ellis Family. Dione was a first year lifeguard following in the footsteps of his father. He started off as a Pool Monitor last season and decided to try out for our lifeguard course. He worked hard and he passed.
Shame on the coward(s) that took his life. And shame on any Trentonian who has information and doesn’t speak out.”
Earlier MidJersey.News story here:
Trenton Shooting: One 16 Year Old Killed, Another 16 Year Old At Hospital
Shell casings landed across from 351 Prospect Street, West Ward Recreation Center. The location of casings are on Prospect Street between Stuyvesant Avenue and Frazier Street.
Names of 2021* homicide victims: (this may need to be adjusted)**
- 2/18/2021 Jabree Saunders, 26, from shooting on May 14, 2018
- 2/22/2021 Khalil Gibbs, 25, of West Windsor, shooting
- 2/25/2021 Lovelle Laramore, 60, of Trenton shooting
- 4/15/2021 Kaheem Carter, 22, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/20/2021 Shaquan McNeil, 25, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/24/2021 Cheryl Jones, 65, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/29/2021 Ramire Harvey, 25, of Trenton, shooting
- 5/15/2021 David Williams 36, of Trenton, shooting
- 5/29/2021 Edgar Geovani Sis-Luis, 34, of Trenton, aggravated manslaughter
- 7/05/2021 Dion Ellis, 16, Trenton, Shooting
*Updated to reflect the person who died in 2021 from the May 14, 2018 shooting.
7/9/2021 UPDATE: 30 Year-Old Trenton Man Arrested In Murder of 16-Year-Old Dion Ellis
UPDATE: 16 Year Old Killed In Shooting Was City Of Trenton Lifeguard, Other 16 Year Old Shot In Leg
July 5, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police are investigating the shooting of two 16-year-old males early Monday morning on Stuyvesant Avenue. Police responded to the area of Prospect Street and Stuyvesant Avenue at approximately 12:45 a.m. One victim, later identified as Dion Ellis, 16, was found shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. A second 16-year-old male was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the leg. Anyone with information is asked to contact HTF Detective Shawn Bruton at 609-989-6406. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected]
Shell casings landed across from 351 Prospect Street, West Ward Recreation Center. The location of casings are on Prospect Street between Stuyvesant Avenue and Frazier Street.
Names of 2021* homicide victims: (this may need to be adjusted)**
- 2/18/2021 Jabree Saunders, 26, from shooting on May 14, 2018
- 2/22/2021 Khalil Gibbs, 25, of West Windsor, shooting
- 2/25/2021 Lovelle Laramore, 60, of Trenton shooting
- 4/15/2021 Kaheem Carter, 22, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/20/2021 Shaquan McNeil, 25, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/24/2021 Cheryl Jones, 65, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/29/2021 Ramire Harvey, 25, of Trenton, shooting
- 5/15/2021 David Williams 36, of Trenton, shooting
- 5/29/2021 Edgar Geovani Sis-Luis, 34, of Trenton, aggravated manslaughter
- 7/05/2021 Dion Ellis, 16, Trenton, Shooting
*Updated to reflect the person who died in 2021 from the May 14, 2018 shooting.