Hopewell Township, New Jersey crash kills Lenape High School student, injures 2 others
Woman pulled from woods after car flips over, catches fire in Germantown | Digital Brief
Woman pulled from woods after car flips over, catches fire in Germantown | Digital Brief
Woman pulled from woods after car flips over, catches fire in Germantown | Digital Brief
A crash on Route 31 in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, killed one high school senior and injured two others Tuesday afternoon, police and school officials tell CBS News Philadelphia.
The Lenape High School students were riding in a Honda Civic on the two-lane road between Titus Mill Road and Hopewell-Pennington Road in Mercer County when the crash occurred, Hopewell Township Police said. Officers responded to the scene just after 12 p.m.
The students have not been publicly identified, but Lenape High School Principal Tony Cattani sent a letter to the school community on Tuesday, saying "our Lenape Family suffered a tragic loss."
"We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the student's family and friends and ask that you join us in respecting their privacy as they take time to grieve during this exceptionally difficult time. We understand that this loss will be felt throughout our school and our district," Cattani wrote.
Police said the crash occurred when the Honda, moving southbound, veered into the northbound lane and then collided head-on with an oncoming tractor-trailer.
The other two Lenape seniors sustained serious injuries in the crash, according to police.
Counselors from the Burlington County Crisis Response Team were at Lenape on Wednesday to offer emotional support. Cattani encouraged parents to have their children discuss their feelings about the tragedy openly, and contact the Lenape Counseling Center if any student is in need of more counseling support.
"Our thoughts are with all of the families involved during this extremely difficult time. As we navigate this loss, I know, as always, our school community will come together to support one another with compassion and care," said Cattani. "Please continue to look after one another."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Oak Creek man pleads guilty in drunk driving homicide of St. Francis teacher
An Oak Creek man has pleaded guilty to homicide by driving intoxicated in connection with a crash in Cudahy that killed a local teacher. Troy Vaillancourt, 28, was facing the felony charge for allegedly driving drunk and causing an accident that took the life of St. Francis teacher Michelle Engman on Dec. 6, 2024. Vaillancourt changed his plea to guilty June 9 as part of a plea agreement, according to online court records. He initially pleaded not guilty in December 2024. The court found him guilty and Vaillancourt was remanded into Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department custody. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 22. Following the crash, a GoFundMe was launched to help support Engman's family. As of June 9 it had raised $31,777 ― well above its $19,000 goal. According to the complaint: Cudahy police were dispatched to East Van Norman and South Lipton avenues for a two-car crash at 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 2024. Authorities found a Honda Civic and Chevrolet Trailblazer with severe damage and determined the crash occurred in the middle of the intersection. Engman, who was driving the Civic, was unconscious with no pulse. Officers attempted lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived and took her to the hospital. She died Dec. 8 from injuries received in the crash, according to the autopsy. Vaillancourt told police he was the driver of the Trailblazer and said he'd just finished work and was traveling south on South Lipton Avenue when the crash happened. Traffic southbound on Lipton has a stop sign while traffic on Van Norman Avenue has no stop sign. 'I'm 90% sure I blew the stop sign then hit her,' Vaillancourt told an officer, adding that he 'probably was speeding.' Officers observed Vaillancourt exhibited signs of intoxication though he denied drinking before the crash. He did admit to drinking the night before, including the early morning hours of Dec. 6. Vaillancourt took a breathalyzer which indicated his blood alcohol level was 0.169%. The legal limit in Wisconsin is 0.08%, but since Vaillancourt had two prior OWI convictions he must maintain a BAC under 0.02%. Contact Erik S. Hanley at Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oak Creek man pleads guilty in crash that killed St. Francis teacher
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bank robbery suspect faces charges
ELKHART — An Elkhart man faces criminal charges after police say he attempted to rob a bank. Charles Bonsell, 41, faces one count of robbery as a Level 5 felony after his arrest inside Horizon Bank, 1909 E. Bristol St. He was booked in the Elkhart County Correctional Facility on $5,000 bond and given an initial hearing date of June 12. According to court documents: Elkhart police responded to a robbery report at Horizon Bank shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday. The suspect was reportedly still in the bank after passing the teller a note demanding money. Officers say they found Bonsell sitting on the floor inside the bank, with the note and more than $3,000 in cash nearby. Police recovered all the money that was stolen. Bonsell was handcuffed and transported to the jail. He refused to speak with police after his arrest. The teller told officers she was placed in fear after the robbery suspect sat down because she thought she could be in danger. She said she didn't see where he placed the money after she handed it over. Police also found a black Honda Civic registered to Bonsell sitting in a parking lot outside, which he had the keys for in his pocket. No evidence related to the robbery was found inside the vehicle and police say this was Bonsell's first alleged crime on record.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Escaping gas-station burglars spray smoke at Emeryville cop car
The Brief Burglars ram stolen car into gas station food mart in Emeryville As police arrive, burglar in escaping car unleashes smoke at cop car Intruders stole cigarettes but couldn't get into ATM Emeryville - It's a first in the Bay Area – a group of burglars unleashing smoke at a Emeryville police car after a gas-station smash and grab. A passenger in the back apparently sprayed smoke, evidently trying to obscure the officer's view. "Arriving on scene and not knowing what you're driving into is very scary," said Emeryville police Officer Baylee Worthen, a department spokeswoman. It happened at about 4:15 a.m. Monday morning at the 76 gas station at Powell Street and Christie Avenue. Worthen said the smoke temporarily blinded the officer. "It was some kind of smoke device, so it fogged the air, so the officer was not able to clearly see what was going on when they were arriving on scene," Worthen said. What they're saying The officer drove after the suspects. But because Emeryville police, like many other agencies, has a strict pursuit policy, the officer was unable to chase and catch the suspects. It all began when intruders arrived in a caravan and repeatedly backed a stolen Honda Civic into the gas station's food mart. Burglars ran inside through the hole. "There was an employee on site, but it sounds like they locked themselves in the bathroom during this incident," Worthen said. What we know The Civic that rammed the store was abandoned at the gas station. Also abandoned was an ATM that the intruders couldn't get into. But the store owner told KTVU they did escape with several cartons of cigarettes. Investigators are combing through surveillance video for clues. Later Monday, in what has become a familiar sight, crews kept busy boarding up the store an making repairs. The damage and frustration, extensive. Emeryville police said FLock Safety cameras spotted the two other cars going into Oakland. No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing. Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and The Source KTVU reporting, Emeryville police
