This is the second fatal explosion in Middlesex County in just over 24 hours. Another explosion happened yesterday May 1, 2024 in Old Bridge. One person was killed and two others injured in Wednesday’s explosion.
May 2, 2024
SOUTH RIVER, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Mark Tinitigan of the South River Police Department announced today that authorities are investigating an explosion in the Borough of South River.
Today, Thursday, May 2, 2024, at approximately 7:03 P.M., authorities responded to a residence on Continental Court following a report of an explosion. Upon their arrival, authorities located two male victims who had sustained serious injuries from the explosion. One of the victims was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment. The other victim, Kevin Gilbert, 62, of South River, was discovered with fatal injuries. Gilbert succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
An investigation into the cause of the explosion is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Patrick Molina of the South River Police Department at 732-238-1000 or Detective Matthew Colonna of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3354.
Yesterday in Old Bridge one person was killed and two others injured in another explosion.
Yesterday, May 1, 2024, at approximately 11:45 A.M., authorities responded to Superior Signal Company, LLC in Old Bridge following a report of an explosion. Upon arrival, authorities located Eileen Marco, 73, of South River, who had succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene and two other employees, who were injured during the explosion.
While the investigation is ongoing, a preliminary investigation lead by The New Jersey State Police, Old Bridge Police Department, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, and local, state, and county Fire Marshals indicates that the explosion is not suspicious in nature and foul play is not suspected.
One Dead, Two Injured in Explosion in Old Bridge
Photos by: NJ Public Safety News Alerts
The scene tonight in South River, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Photos by: NJ Public Safety News Alerts
May 2, 2024
TRENTON (Mercer) – Neighbors teamed up to help a mother and her two children escape from their burning home in South Trenton this evening (Thursday, May 2, 2024).
During a particularly frightening moment at the scene on Daymond Street, a city firefighter collapsed shortly after he helped extinguish the blaze.
The mother and children, who reportedly suffered smoke inhalation, and the downed firefighter were all transported via ambulance to hospital. Specific information about their conditions was not available at the time of this report.
It was about 6:55 p.m. when Engines 3, 10 and 7, Ladder 2, and Rescue 1 were dispatched for a reported fire at 59 Daymond Street. While enroute, firefighters spotted smoke rising into the evening sky. The “All Hands” signal for a working fire was immediately ordered and the remainder of the first alarm assignment – Engine 1, Ladder 4 and Special Services 1 – was dispatched.
When they reached the scene, firefighters found a fire burning at the rear of 59 Daymond Street and learned that neighbors had already helped a woman, an infant and another older child out of the smoky interior. While some firefighters immediately went to work fighting the flames, others began caring for the woman and children.
The blaze was quickly extinguished and was declared under control at 7:14 p.m. Multiple Trenton Emergency Medical Service ambulance crews and Capital Health paramedics responded to care for and transport the woman and children.
The medical staff also immediately went to work after a member of Rescue 1 collapsed while he was removing his breathing apparatus shortly after he exited the fire building. For several tense minutes, bystanders watched as fellow firefighters quickly stripped the downed firefighter of his protective clothing and medical personnel assessed his condition. He was quickly placed into an ambulance and rushed to hospital.
Thankfully, the firefighter appeared to have regained consciousness prior to leaving the scene. It was a particularly warm and humid evening, however it was not immediately clear if the weather conditions, on top of the physical exertions of battling the blaze, contributed to his condition.
Afterward, several neighbors praised the fire department and offered prayers for the downed firefighter and the mother and children.
“The Trenton Fire Department is the best,” one woman could be heard saying.
Due to damage caused by the fire, power to 59 Daymond Street and the adjacent residence at 57 Daymond Street was shut off by PSE&G. The Red Cross was contacted to respond to assist the displaced residents with temporary shelter, clothing and food.
The cause of the blaze was under investigation at the time of this report.
May 2, 2024
West Windsor, NJ – On the unseasonably cold afternoon of April 13, Mercer County’s Park Commission and Planning Department hosted their fourth annual Bike Drive for the benefit of the Mercer County Bike Exchange (BEX) and Boys & Girls Club (BGC). Over 150 bikes were contributed by donors from all over the county and surrounding area.
BEX is a volunteer-run organization whose primary objective is to raise funds that support after-school programs at the Mercer County BGC. The non-profit repairs donated bicycles and sells them at modest prices from its Ewing location at Capitol Plaza on Olden Avenue, promoting biking for transportation and pleasure.
“The annual bike drive is a wonderful example of county government partnering with nonprofits to give back to our community.” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “I’m grateful to all of the volunteers who made this event a tremendous success, and to all of the generous residents who donated their bikes for a good cause.”
“Once again, the Mercer County Park Commission, in cooperation with the Mercer County Bike Exchange and the Mercer County Planning Department, have come together in support of this annual event,” said Acting Executive Director Joseph Pizza. “Thank you to all the volunteers and participants on another successful bike drive.”
According to Ira Saltiel, the BEX volunteer director, 50 volunteers support the organization by working in sales, repairing, picking up, and delivering bikes. Tech-savvy volunteers manage the BEX social media and Craigslist postings. Others harvest parts off bikes that are beyond repair.
Since 2009, the Bike Exchange has sold approximately 27,000 bikes, raising $1.6 million dollars for the BGC. During the past several years, they have also donated approximately 300 free bikes annually to youth in Trenton and other urban areas throughout New Jersey.
Interested BGC teens get training in bike repairs. Some of the teens who are learning how to rehabilitate bikes volunteered their time at the Bike Drive by helping donors unload bikes from their vehicles, handing out informational materials, and loading donated bikes onto Bike Exchange trailers at the end of the day.
“Over 15 BEX volunteers and four interns from the Boys & Girls Club helped with the Mercer County bike drive this year,” said Saltiel. “The quality of the bikes this year was amazing and the 150 bikes donated will result in over $18,000 in sales, all going directly to the Boys and Girls Club. It was a hugely successful event.”
Mercer County is proud to support the Bike Exchange and the Boys & Girls Club through the County’s annual bike drives. The contributions of the two non-profit organizations help to make Mercer County the best place in New Jersey to buy and ride a bike.
For information on Mercer County Park Commission parks and trails, visit https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/mercer-county-park-commission/recreation-events/passive-recreation.
May 2, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a Wednesday night shooting (May 1, 2024) in Trenton that left two men dead, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
At approximately 7:45 p.m. on May 1, 2024, Trenton police responded to the area Prospect Street and Pennington Avenue on a ShotSpotter activation for multiple rounds.
Upon arrival, officers located a male victim, later identified as Chevaughn Fagan, in the side parking lot of 812 Prospect Street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. A second male victim, later identified as Jerome Francis, 43, of Hamilton, was discovered in the same parking lot in the driver’s seat of a blue Infiniti QX60 with gunshot wounds to the chest. The vehicle appeared to have heavy front-end damage and several airbags were deployed. Detectives located three handguns, two cell phones and multiple shell casings at the scene.
Fagan, 28, of Trenton, and Francis were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where they were pronounced dead a short time later.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Chris Pullen at (848) 992-6436 or OIC William Jett Jr. at (609) 331-5010. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].
In an earlier shooting yesterday, Trenton Police reported that at approximately 4:48 p.m., May 1, 2024, Trenton Police Department patrol officers responded to a report of multiple shots fired in the area of Brunswick Avenue and Southard Street. They discovered an elderly woman was shot in the leg. She was taken to the hospital for treatment and subsequently released. A vehicle and two residences were also struck but, thankfully, no other injuries were reported. The Trenton Police Department Shooting Response Team is investigating this incident.
Names of the 2023 Trenton Homicide Victims
- 01/13/2024 Eduardo Lopez-Cruz, 38, of Trenton, Shooting
- 02/28/2024 Shawn Moore, 45, Trenton, Shooting
- 03/19/2024 Donnell Jenkins age 52, Stabbing
- 04/04/2024 Jose Alfredo Azcona Garcia, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
- 05/01/2024 Jerome Francis, 43, of Hamilton
- 05/01/2024 Chevaughn Fagan, 28, of Trenton
- 05/19/2024 Stephon Fisher, 18, of Trenton, Shooting
May 2, 2024
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, are currently investigating a fatal pedestrian strike that occurred on May 1, 2024, at approximately 8:25 p.m., in the area of Route 166 and Hilltop Road in Toms River Township.
Prosecutor Billhimer urges anyone in possession of information regarding this investigation to please contact Sergeant Brad Frank of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3689, or Officer William Resetar of the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150.
