FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)- The cause of a pedestrian being fatally struck by a motor vehicle in Freehold Borough on Wednesday morning is currently under investigation, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.
On Wednesday August 7, 2024, at approximately 11:23 a.m., members of the Freehold Borough Police Department responded to a motor vehicle collision in the vicinity of State Highway 33 Business (Park Avenue) near Ann Street.
The investigation revealed that a 65-year-old male driver of a 2022 Ram ProMaster cargo van was driving westbound on State Highway 33 Business near Ann Street when he collided with a male pedestrian who was crossing the roadway from the nearby parking lot.
As a result of the crash, the male pedestrian, identified as Frank Tommasini, 76, of Manalapan, was pronounced deceased on scene.
The driver remained at the scene.
An investigation involving members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART), and the Freehold Borough Police Department remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Nicolas Logothetis at 800-533-7443 or Freehold Borough Police Detective Sergeant John Reiff at 732-462-1233.
No charges or summonses have been issued with regard to the incident at this time.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Fire Department, Hope Fire Company Upper Freedhold Township Fire Department and EMS were dispatched at 2:11 p.m. for an overturned truck with entrapment on I-195 west bound. Upon arrival a dump truck was found overturned near Exit 7 west bound in Robbinsville Township. It did not appear that there were severe injuries and firefighters did not remain on scene. Troopers from the New Jersey State Police were on location and actively investigating the crash. No further details are available at this time. 511NJ is reporting a 10-minute traffic delay in the area.
Crash with Injuries and Overturned Dump Truck on I-195 westbound East of Exit 7 – CR 526 (Robbinsville) 1 Right lane and shoulder of 3 lanes closed 5-10 minute delay use caution https://t.co/xclJ30qhBY
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force has charged a Trenton man with homicide after a shooting last night in the city, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
On July 1, 2023 at approximately 10:19 p.m., Trenton Police received a 911 call reporting gunshots fired at 301 Hills Place, Trenton, New Jersey. Officers responded and located a female gunshot victim inside the residence at 301 Hills Place. The victim, later identified as Precious Saunders, 32, of Trenton, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. She was pronounced deceased at 11:05 p.m.
An investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department revealed that earlier in the day, Saunders was the victim of an assault at the same location and a complaint-warrant had been issued for her boyfriend, Jeremy Ratliff, 29, of Trenton, New Jersey, charging him with aggravated assault. He was located by Trenton Police at approximately 10:46 p.m. in the area of the Trenton Transit Center at 72 South Clinton Avenue and taken into custody on the aggravated assault warrant.
During the homicide investigation, Detectives learned that, during the second incident, witnesses heard screaming followed by several gunshots at 301 Hills Place. Ratliff was observed exiting the residence and fleeing on Hills Place towards Federal Street. Ratliff has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.
The investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Trenton Police Department is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Karl Johnston at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].
Ratliff will be held at the Mercer County Correction Center pending a detention hearing.
Despite having been charged, all persons are presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Earlier MidJersey.news story here:
Police Quickly Apprehend Suspect In Last Night’s Trenton Shooting Homicide
6/15/2023 Louis Washington, 38, Trenton, Shooting, (died June 17)
6/19/2023 Ernest Denard, 61, Stabbing
6/22/2023 Guillermo Sanchez, Shooting
7/01/2023 Precious Saunders, 32, of Trenton
July 2, 2023 — 9:15 a.m. Update
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office reported that on July 1, 2023, at approximately 10:19 p.m., Trenton Police received a 911 call reporting gunshots fired at 301 Hills Place, Trenton, New Jersey. Officers responded and located a female gunshot victim inside the residence at 301 Hills Place. The victim, later identified as Precious Saunders, 32, of Trenton, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. She was pronounced deceased at 11:05 p.m.Jeremy Ratliff, 29, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was located a short time later in the area of the Trenton Transit Center at 72 South Clinton Avenue in Trenton, NJ, and taken into custody.
The investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Trenton Police Department is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Karl Johnston at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].
Boyfriend Charged With 1st Degree Murder In Trenton Shooting
Midjersey.news original story below:
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police, Trenton EMS, Capital Health Paramedics and Trenton Fire Department responded to the 300 Block of Hills Place between Federal and Cass Streets, for a woman shot in the chest around 10:20 p.m. Upon arrival it was reported that the victim was inside a residence. TEMS and Paramedics transported the victim to the Trauma Center at Captial Health regional medical center. Trenton Police searched the area for a suspect and notified Transit Police. Trenton Police and the Mercer County Homicide Taskforce are investigating.
Funding will help provide emergency and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence in Mercer County
July 19, 2024
Womanspace, Inc., a local non-profit organization dedicated to preventing abuse, protecting families, and changing lives through empowerment and a safety net of supportive services, has received a $10,000 grant from Bank of America.
The grant will help provide crucial emergency and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence while improving economic mobility in Mercer County, NJ. This funding will enable Womanspace to offer immediate safety and long-term stability to those in need, addressing one of the most urgent challenges faced by survivors: being made homeless by domestic violence.
Womanspace is the only program in Mercer County, NJ, exclusively focused on providing potentially life-saving services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking. They assist victim survivors at the moment of crisis, throughout their journey of healing, and through to the creation of a self–sufficient life free from violence. Womanspace offers a wide range of services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, court advocacy, crisis hotlines, children’s programs, education and prevention outreach, and more. They serve individuals and families of all geographic, socioeconomic, racial, and religious backgrounds, with a focus on low- to moderate-income individuals.
The grant will support Womanspace’s Emergency and Transitional Housing program, which provides safe housing, supportive services, and resources to help victim-survivors achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of violence.
“Bank of America’s generous support will enable us to continue offering lifesaving services to those in desperate need of safety and stability,” says Nathalie S. Nelson, CEO and Executive Director of Womanspace, Inc. “We appreciate Bank of America’s generous support and continued investment in our mission to empower survivors and strengthen our community.”
The grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Awardees were selected for their commitment to addressing the needs of individuals and families, including basic needs and workforce development.
“Womanspace’s programs are a lifeline to the community, offering refuge and resources to the Mercer County area,” said Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey. “Their efforts play a critical role in helping survivors of domestic violence as they navigate immediate crises and regain independence.”
ABOUT WOMANSPACE Founded in 1977, Womanspace is a leading nonprofit organization serving the greater Mercer County area and the state of New Jersey by providing a comprehensive array of emergency and follow-up services to individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Womanspace is dedicated to improving the quality of life for victims, survivors, and their families. Bilingual services and programs include 24/7 crisis intervention, safe, short-term emergency shelter, short and long-term transitional housing, individual counseling and therapeutic support groups for adults and children, court advocacy and the 24/7 crisis hotline 609-394-9000. Womanspace also operates the 24/7 New Jersey Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline 800-572-SAFE and the NJ Statewide Sexual Violence Hotline 800-601-7200. To learn more about Womanspace please visit www.womanspace.org.
For information on agency events and updates, follow Womanspace on Facebook and Instagram.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).
Polymer 80, 9mm semi-automatic handgun w/high capacity magazine [no serial #] and 20 grams CDS Crack-Cocaine are now off the street. The Trenton Police Department Officers have been working very hard to make Trenton a better and safer community.
September 19, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police Department reported that Violent Crimes Unit Detectives conducted surveillance in the area of Boudinot Street when they observed Papino Lloyd, in possession of a handgun. They attempted to stop him and he fled, discarding a handgun in the process. He was eventually apprehended and found to be in possession of a Polymer handgun with a high-capacity magazine [no serial number] and a distributable amount of CDS Crack-Cocaine. This incident occurred within 1000’ of a school and 500’ of a park. He was later found to be a Certain Person not to possess a handgun/ammunition.
Papino Lloyd, 22
Charges:
#1: Unlawful Possession of a Handgun
#2: Prohibited Weapons and Devices – High-Capacity Magazine
#3: Defaced Firearm
#4: Certain Persons not to Possess a Handgun
#5: Certain Persons not to Possess Ammunition
#6: Possession of a Handgun during a CDS Offense
#7: Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine
#8: Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine w/Intent
#9: Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine w/Intent w/in 1000’ of a School
#10: Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine w/Intent w/in 500’ of a Park
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that the Mercer County Homicide Task Force (MCHTF), the Mercer County Serious Collision Response Team (SCRT) and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting and motor vehicle accident that occurred last night which left a man dead.
On July 12, 2024, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Trenton communications received several calls reporting an accident that involved an overturned vehicle in the area of Garfield and Farragut Avenues. Upon arrival, emergency personnel located a white Durango that had been overturned. They found the victim, Yoni Emmanuel Cruz-Rodrigez, inside the Durango suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, as well as two minor children who were strapped into car seats and were unharmed. According to witnesses to the incident, Cruz-Rodriguez was standing at the open back of the Durango when an unidentified suspect entered the vehicle and attempted to drive away. Cruz-Rodriguez attempted to climb in the rear of the vehicle when witnesses indicate multiple gun shots were fired and the vehicle crashed a short distance away. Cruz-Rodriguez was pronounced deceased at the scene at approximately 10:39 p.m.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Chris Pullen at (848) 992-6436 or Sgt. Will Jett at (609) 331-5010. Information can also be emailed to [email protected]
Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora said he was deeply saddened to address the tragic incident that occurred late last night at the intersection of Farragut Avenue and Garfield Avenue. A young father lost his life in a senseless act of violence, leaving his minor children to witness this horrific event.
The Mayor stated this was a carjacking that tragically escalated, resulting in the fatal shooting of the male victim. The victim heroically intervened to protect his children, leading to a struggle that ended in tragedy. The suspect fled the scene after the vehicle crashed into parked cars and overturned.
Gusciora said, Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of the victim during this incredibly difficult time. We are working closely with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice swiftly. Due to the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation, specific details cannot be disclosed at this time.”
“As a community, we stand united against such acts of violence. Trenton is a resilient city, and we will support each other as we navigate through this tragedy together. I urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigation.”
Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating and confidential tips can be sent to [email protected] or (609) 331-5010
Together, we can ensure that justice is served and that such heart-wrenching incidents do not happen again in our community, said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora.
Names of the 2024 Trenton Homicide Victims
01/13/2024 Eduardo Lopez-Cruz, 38, of Trenton, Shooting
01/16/2024 Stefon Locke, 33, Shooting on 1/16 died 2/8/2024
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
05/26/2024 Dwayne Penix, 20, of Trenton, Shooting
06/11/2024 Johnathan Applegate
06/23/2024 Samier Vincent, 30, of Trenton, Shooting, died 6/27/2024
07/04/2024 Amir Williams, 32, of Trenton, Shooting
07/02/2024 Capriest Ruiz, 23, of Camden, Shooting, died on 7/3/2024
FREEHOLD – A female driver was saved from overdosing by law enforcement and emergency services personnel during a DWI checkpoint last Friday night, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Allenhurst Police Chief and Monmouth County DWI Task Force Coordinator Michael Schneider jointly announced on Friday.
The adult driver pulled into the checkpoint on Friday night, May 31, in the Asbury Park Circle and was speaking with a Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officer when she suddenly became disoriented. Shortly thereafter, she became unconscious behind the wheel of her vehicle, which was still in gear. Additional officers came over to assist and were able to get the vehicle into park and pull the unconscious driver from inside the car.
Officers administered three separate Narcan deployments before the female eventually started to show signs of regaining consciousness. The driver was transported by the Wanamassa First Aid Squad to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she was treated and released.
The checkpoint was shut down for approximately 30 minutes while officers dealt with the medical emergency.
“This weekend’s DWI check acted as a safety net for not only this driver, but other residents and motorists who may have been in the vicinity at the time of the medical emergency,” Prosecutor Santiago stated. “I shudder to think of what may have happened if this driver wasn’t stopped at this checkpoint and continued driving down the road when the emergency took place. I’d like to thank our officers and medical personnel, whose quick actions saved a life and prevented what could have been a much worse outcome for everyone involved.”
“I think this incident shows just how important these checkpoints are,” Chief Schneider commented. “It’s extremely likely that pulling into this checkpoint saved this woman’s life. We have an extremely successful program in Monmouth County, and I think this puts an exclamation point on just how important these checkpoints are in keeping our roads safe.”
Summonses for the driver are pending an ongoing investigation.
The checkpoint contacted 686 vehicles that evening, with 9 summonses issued and 1 arrest.
June 7, 2024
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 7, 2024, the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., sentenced Christopher Hurley, 27, of Little Egg Harbor, to twelve years New Jersey State Prison as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Robbery in connection with an incident that occurred in Berkeley Township on February 5, 2022. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Hurley will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Hurley pled guilty to the charge before Judge Rahill on March 18, 2024.
On February 5, 2022, Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the Rite Aid Pharmacy on Route 9 for a report of an armed robbery. Responding Officers determined that a male suspect entered the store, brandished a knife at the cashier, and demanded money. The store staff surrendered the cash drawer to the suspect, who then fled the scene. A subsequent investigation into the matter transpired over approximately the next two weeks; as a result, Berkeley Township Detectives were able to identify Hurley as the individual responsible for robbing the Rite Aid on February 5th. In furtherance of the investigation, Detectives determined that Hurley had been arrested by Officers from Toms River Township Police Department on an unrelated charge on February 22, 2022, and was lodged in the Ocean County Jail at that time. Hurley was thereafter served with the Berkeley Township robbery charge at the Ocean County Jail on February 25, 2022. Hurley presently remains lodged in the Ocean County Jail awaiting sentence.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Toms River Township Police Department, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this matter leading to Hurley’s apprehension, guilty plea, and now his state prison sentence.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
June 7, 2024
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 5, 2024, Sorah Tyner, 37, of Toms River, was charged with two counts of Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Assault by Auto, Hindering, and Obstruction, all in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred on May 30, 2024, in Jackson Township.
On May 30, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of Cleveland Court and East Veterans Highway for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash. An initial investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Jackson Township Police Department revealed that a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica being operated by Tyner and containing two minor passengers was traveling westbound on East Veterans Highway. While trying to negotiate a left-hand curve, Tyner crossed into the eastbound lane – striking a 2010 GMC Terrain operated by Carolina Bonilla-Hernandez, 36, of Jackson Township. As a result of the crash, Tyner and the two minors in her vehicle were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of their injuries. Upon arrival at the hospital, one of the juveniles was pronounced deceased. The second juvenile remains hospitalized and is listed in stable condition. Tyner was treated for her injuries and released.
Ms. Bonilla-Hernandez was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Detectives determined that Tyner’s vehicle was in the oncoming lane for some distance prior to impact, and that she did not take corrective actions to avoid the crash. The investigation also revealed that only one of the minors was seated in an appropriate child car seat. The second minor, who died as a result of the crash, was restrained only by a seatbelt – notwithstanding the fact that due to his age and weight, he should have been retrained in a rear/front facing child car seat.
Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant for Tyner’s cell phone. A forensic extraction of the device by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit revealed that Tyner was using her cell phone at the time of the crash. Detectives determined that Tyner made inconsistent statements at the scene of the crash.
On June 6, 2024, Tyner was taken into custody at her residence without incident. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Jackson Township Police Department Patrol Division, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
June 7, 2024
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 7, 2024, John Vincentini, 64, of Lacey Township, pled guilty to Bias Intimidation before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., in connection with an incident that occurred in Lacey Township on September 5, 2022. Additionally, Vincentini pled guilty to unrelated charges of Possession of an Assault Firearm and Possession of More than One Ounce but Less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute before Judge Palmer – in connection with incidents that occurred in Lacey Township in March 2024. At the time of his sentencing on July29, 2024, the State will be seeking a term of five years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the bias intimidation charge, five years NJSP with a 42 month period of parole ineligibility as to the assault firearm charge, and three years NJSP as to the narcotics charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit and Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau determined that on September 5, 2022, Vincentini was operating a motor vehicle in Lacey Township and followed an Amazon delivery driver into a cul-de-sac as the driver was making deliveries; Vincentini parked his vehicle in such a way as to block the Amazon driver’s vehicle. Vincentini proceeded to confront the driver, questioned the driver as to why he was in the neighborhood, and further inquired as to whether the driver understood that it was a racist neighborhood. Vincentini then asked the driver whether he wanted him to go back to his car, get his rifle, and shoot the driver in the head. The Amazon driver then drove away and contacted the Lacey Township Police Department. On October 5, 2022, Vincentini surrendered himself to the Lacey Township Police Department and was charged with bias intimidation. He was processed and released on a summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
On March 15, 2024, the Lacey Township Police Department was contacted by local residents to report that a package of marijuana was delivered to their residence in a re-purposed Amazon box. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Lacey Township Police Department revealed that John Vincentini was the individual who delivered the box containing the marijuana to the subject residence.
On March 21, 2024, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Lacey Township Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on the Vincentini residence in Lacey. As a result, Detectives seized approximately ten pounds of Marijuana, 15 marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia associated with the packaging and distribution of narcotics, two assault firearms, a rifle style BB gun, and approximately $150,000 in United States Currency. John Vincentini and Karen Vincentini, John Vincentini’s wife, were both taken into custody without incident at their residence and charged accordingly. They were transported to the Ocean County Jail, where they have been lodged since their arrest. The charges against Karen Vincentini remain pending.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Angelo and Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who handled this case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lacey Township Police Department, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective efforts in connection with these investigations – leading to Vincentini’s guilty pleas and soon his state prison sentence.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
June 7, 2024
EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)– Mayor Janice S. Mironov, and Council Members Marc Lippman, Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller, joined by members of Mercer County Moms Demand Action, issued a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing June 7 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day,” to raise awareness about the impacts of gun violence and to encourage responsible gun ownership and use. Mercer County Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement seeking to raise awareness about the impacts of gun violence and keeping families safe.
Mayor Mironov stated, “Gun violence is a tragic reality nationwide, with more than 120 Americans killed each day. ‘National Gun Violence Awareness Day’, is an opportunity to focus together to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and to recommit ourselves to doing all that we can to reduce the impacts of senseless gun violence in our community and in our nation.” Mayor Mironov added,
“Irregardless of anyone’s views, there are many things we all can agree on and do, such as responsibly using gun locks when storing weapons.”
The Mayoral Proclamation issued by Mayor Mironov states, “Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in higher-income nations. The Township renews our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep all of our citizens and children safer.”
Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members present Proclamation recognizing June 7 a “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” to members of Mercer County Moms Demand Action. Pictured (from left to right) are: Deputy Mayor David Russell; Council
Member Marc Lippman; Council Member Denise Daniels; Sherry Hurwitz; Mayor Janice Mironov; Patricia Clark; Council Member John Zoller; Council Member Johnnie Whittington and Council Member Anthony Katawick.
June 7, 2024-Update
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron, of the New Jersey State Police, Office of Public Information told Midjersey.news that Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash on June 7 at 6:37 a.m. on the New Jersey Turnpike north outer roadway milepost 65.5 in East Windsor, Mercer County. Based on a preliminary investigation, a Toyota pickup truck was traveling northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike. In the area of milepost 65.5, the Toyota ran off the roadway right, collided with the guard rail and overturned. During the collision, the driver was ejected from the vehicle. As a result of the crash, the driver, Jesse Nobre, a 33-year-old male of Delran, NJ, sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation and there is no additional information available at this time.
Original MidJersey.news story below:
Fatal Crash Investigation on New Jersey Turnpike in East Windsor, NJ
The scene this morning on the New Jersey Turnpike in East Windsor.
June 7, 2024
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Police say that on June 06, 2024 at approximately 4:00 p.m., a 2013 Honda Accord, driven by Shane T. McKenna, a resident of Hamilton NJ, was involved in a fatal motor vehicle collision. The preliminary investigation appears to indicate the vehicle was traveling northbound on Crosswicks Hamilton Square Road when it collided with a guardrail along northbound side of the road. The vehicle then traveled across the southbound lane of travel and left the roadway. The vehicle continued across a grass covered field before impacting a tree.
McKenna was the sole occupant of the vehicle and he was declared deceased at the scene.
Assistance at the scene was provided by the Hamilton Township Fire Division and the Hamilton Township Road Department.
The crash is being investigated by Officer F. LaVacca of the Hamilton Township Traffic Unit. Any witnesses to this collision are asked to contact the police non-emergency number at (609)581-4000
June 7, 2024
Delran, NJ, Man Killed in NJ Turnpike Crash in East Windsor
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–At 6:41 a.m. the Robbinsville Township Fire Department, Hightstown Fire Company, EMS and New Jersey State Police were detailed to the New Jersey Turnpike, north bound, outer lanes, near mile post 65, which is near the Old York Road overpass for a crash with entrapment. Upon arrival it was reported that a pickup truck was on its side with a person ejected from the vehicle. Paramedics responded and made a pronouncement.
The outer lanes “truck lanes” of the New Jersey Turnpike in East Windsor will be closed for a serious crash investigation. Traffic is currently being diverted to the inner lanes north bound from Exit 7A to Exit 8.
Information contained in this article is preliminary information and when official information becomes available the story will be updated as needed.
Crash with Injuries on New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound South of Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) All lanes closed – all traffic diverted to northbound inner roadway up to Interchange 7A https://t.co/jXYOBBYwFO
— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) June 7, 2024
Delays and Rubbernecking delays on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound North of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Robbinsville) to South of Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) All lanes open 4 mile delay due to an incident on the NJ https://t.co/7LgyEEIpz8
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–With a love of fashion and passion for sustainability, Robbinsville High School sophomore Megana Madhurakavi has weaved the two into her own business – LIILA, an eco-chic, non-profit clothing line.
As the visionary behind LIILA, 15-year-old Megana imagines a world where fashion is a force for good. She hopes to encourage consumers “to make conscious choices without sacrificing style.”
“At our brand we take sustainability very seriously,” Megana said. “We make sustainable clothing with ethical procedures and upcycled fabric.”
Megana explained that the clothes are produced without child labor. The clothes are handcrafted in small batches to minimize waste and the manufacturing facilities use energy saving measures, which are more eco-friendly.
“And a cool thing we do is upcycle fabric, which means we get fabric from brands that were going to toss it in landfills and burn them because of the excess they have,” she added. “Instead, we grab that fabric and recycle it into our collections, creating a sustainable cycle that keeps things out of landfills and helps the environment.”
LIILA launched just before the start of the new school year. It was a journey sparked by a personal realization when she was about 13 years old, said Megana, who enjoys hanging out with friends, social media and dancing Kushitudi, a classical Indian art form.
“I had this strong desire to make a positive change,” she said. “I saw how fast fashion was taking over, especially among teenagers like me. I was unaware and got caught up in this fast fashion cycle. Then I started noticing all the problems it caused – like the exploitation of workers, the environmental impact, the mass production and much more.”
Through social media, Megana met like-minded people who also wanted to make an impact.
She is now proudly a part of the sustainable fashion community. Through her sources, she came across the opportunity to attend a social impact investment and sustainability conference in April 2022. This opportunity to work with the United Nations ignited the spark into a flame.
“It opened my eyes to the darker side of the fast fashion industry,” she said. “The side where the price we don’t pay is paid by the children working in sweatshops or the cries of the Earth. I realized something really needed to be done.”
At the sustainability conference was a youth competition for creating an idea that meets Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which the United Nations aims to accomplish by 2030.
“One of these goals really correlated with me,” Megana said. “But I didn’t think I would win. I didn’t go into the conference knowing completely what I wanted to do. But I ended up winning.”
With the win came the title of “Global Youth Ambassador of SDG and Carbon Neutrality.”
“That really helped connect me with all these other opportunities that I have now,” she said.
About a year ago, with the full support of her family, Megana began reaching out to founders of other sustainable brands. She researched for months – learning more about the industry, the clothing and how to upcycle fabric.
“Then I decided to take action. And that’s how LIILA was born,” she said. The name LILLA’s origin is rooted in Sanskrit – an ancient language in India that is special to Megana’s culture. It means “divine play or God’s creation,” the sophomore explained.
But she gave her special brand name a twist.
“This name reflects the essence of creation and beauty that we aim to embody in our brand. A lot of sustainable brands these days are pretty neutral and plain but we want to bring out that bright color and vibrancy – a divine aspect to it,” she said.
In her debut collection, there are five dresses – all designed by Megana. The designs are available on the LIILA website https://shopliila.com/.
“It’s the youth now who I really want opinions from; it’s not just me,” she said. “It’s other people who have to buy them. So, I got opinions from friends. I designed the clothing. And then I tried to find manufacturers who work with a lot of brands and I finally came down to one who really had the same passion as me.”
The selected manufacturer employs workers from villages to handcraft the clothing.
The LIILA price point also is very reasonable, with dresses ranging from $50 to $57 online.
“One of our main goals is not to profit at all,” she said. “It’s just to give a wider range of audience access to these clothes. So, if I keep it at this price point for now, maybe in the future, my brand will get more attention and people will be more willing to buy it. Now, the mission is not profit. It’s knowledge.”
The response to LIILA has been both exciting and successful. Feedback from brands and customers has been very positive, Megana said.
“Things are going great,” she said. “I’ve had brands reach out to me saying that they really like what I’m doing. There are ups and downs obviously. But I’m learning a lot through this whole process. I’m really enjoying content creation and outreach for my brand.
And her favorite part of my day? Sending out orders at the local post office.
“It just it makes me happy to realize that people are actually seeing what I’m doing,” Megana said. “And wearing what I’m doing! Just a few days ago, I got a picture from one of the people that got my clothes. She was on vacation and was wearing my dress. I was like ‘Oh my God, she went on vacation in my dress!’ It was so amazing to see.”
Though college is still a couple years away, Megana hopes to combine sustainability and business into a major.
“In order to keep a successful business going, I need to have those marketing techniques,” she said. “I need to know how a business would grow. I definitely want to incorporate business, but I also want to make sure that our brand’s core values never, ever go because of profit, or greed or anything like that. So, I want to implement sustainability into it.”
In the future, as LIILA grows, Megana envisions the clothing line as a leading force for positive change in the fashion industry.
“Eventually, I would like to open a store but since e-commerce is more popular now, LIILA might stay that way,” she said. “But our goal is to inspire more people to create not just a brand, but a community and not just a trend, but a way of life. We want to create this community of conscious consumers who appreciate the value of our clothes, and that also enjoy that it looks really good.”
Wearing the Cream Floral Bell Sleeve Mini Dress – one of her own eco-chic designs – Megana Madhurakavi, a sophomore at Robbinsville High School, recently launched LIILA, a sustainable clothing shop online. The passion project weaves together Megana’s love of fashion and sustainability
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Fire Department, NJ State Police and EMS responded to the north bound outer lanes of New Jersey Turnpike near mile post 64.1 in East Windsor Township at 12:36 p.m for a motor vehcile crash. The crash appeared to have no serious lifethreating injuries. The injured were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The crash was aproxamilty 2 miles south of Exit 8 near the East Windsor-Robbinsville border and caused a minor traffic delay in the north bound lanes until the vehicles were towed away. No additional details are available about the crash.
MOORESTOWN, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Moorestown Township Public Safety Director Patrick J. Reilly Jr. announced that a 73-year-old Moorestown man was charged yesterday with killing his wife in their East Camden Avenue apartment.
Gerard Slavin was charged with Murder (First Degree) and Aggravated Assault – Strangulation (Second Degree). He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.
The investigation began just before 3 p.m. yesterday when police were called to the Slavin’s residence in the Moorestowne Woods Apartment Homes. Upon arrival, officers from the Moorestown Township Police Department found the body of Linda Slavin, 73, in the couple’s bedroom.
Gerard Slavin was arrested without incident. An autopsy performed today by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined that Linda Slavin died from strangulation.
The investigation is being conducted by the Moorestown Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are MTPD Det. Ryan Carr, and Det. Shawn McDonough and Det. Katie White from the Prosecutor’s Office.
Slavin will be prosecuted by Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Gerard Slavin, 73, of Moorestown was charged with Murder (First Degree) and Aggravated Assault – Strangulation (Second Degree). He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.
Papino Lloyd, 22
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Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
