Day: June 4, 2021

Hopewell, Mercer County

Man Rescued From Dump Truck Crash; Truck Burns On I-295 In Hopewell Township; 2nd Serious Dump Truck Crash In Area Today

June 4, 2021

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–According to NJ State Police there was a serious accident on I-295 north bound at Mile post 71.9 where a dump truck hit a guardrail around 10:15 a.m. (appears to be guardrail for the supports of highway sign). The driver of the truck sustained serious injures and was transported to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. Northbound lanes and a left southbound lane are shut down for the serious accident investigation.

Hopewell Township Fire Departments, Lawrence Township Fire Department, Capital Health Paramedics, and Hopewell EMS responded to the scene.

An unnamed witness said the cab of the truck was fully involved as the firefighters were arriving. The witness said that passersby pulled the driver from the burning cab. The witness also said that the supports at the base of the sign appeared to be heavily damaged and was afraid that the sign might fall.

Another witness reported that approximately five truck drivers stopped to help and pulled the driver to safety right after the crash saving the man.

The impact of the crash forced the sign support out of the ground, according to NJ DOT spokeswoman Judith Drucker, closing Route 295 northbound between Route 206 and Route 31.

Goez said police and DOT are awaiting the arrival of a crane to remove the sign. He did not have an estimated time of arrival of the crane, which could be delayed by a heavy thunderstorm moving through the area.

Contractors are on scene along with three flatbed trailers and a welding truck, according to Drucker.

No further information is available at this time.

This is the second serious dump truck accident of the day. Early this morning South Brunswick responded to a serious dump truck crash that closed Route 1 for hours. You can read that MidJersey.news story here: Dump Truck Crash Closes Route 1 In South Brunswick

Witness said that at least 5 truckdrivers and passersby pulled the man from this burning truck on I-295 north bound today saving the man from the inferno. Photos by: Lee Eggert

Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
  • NJDOT PHOTO
  • NJDOT PHOTO
  • NJDOT PHOTO
  • NJDOT PHOTO
Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Trenton

Newly Recruited Trenton Police Dog Sniffs Out First Major Drug Bust Resulting in Arrest of Hamilton Resident

June 4, 2021

By: Tyler Eckel

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley today announced that K9 handler Detective Nicholas Mahan and K9 Ugo uncovered 4,500 decks of heroin and $582 in suspected drug proceeds during a traffic stop at approximately 5:28 p.m. Wednesday at Hills Place and Furman Street in Trenton.

Ronald Messa Jr, 28, of Hamilton Township, New Jersey, was arrested on June 2, 2021 and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school and several motor vehicle offenses.

K9 Ugo – a black labrador retriever – just graduated last month from the University of Pennsylvania Vet Working Dog Center.

“While the end to the COVID pandemic may be in sight, our struggle with opioids remains a constant threat to our residents,” said Director Coley. “The TPD is dedicated to taking advantage of every resource at its disposal, including our elite K9 officers that have been instrumental in getting dangerous narcotics off our street. Yesterday’s bust prevented thousands of doses of heroin from making their way throughout our community.”

Ronald Messa, Jr.
K9 Ugo with his first bust
Seized heroin
Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton Firefighters Save Apartment Building From Probable Arson Fire

Investigators from Trenton Police Department, Trenton Fire Department and Mercer County Prosecutors Office are on scene.

June 4, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Fire Department responded to a reported fire at an apartment building around 7:40 a.m. at 944 Riverside Avenue. When firefighters arrived they were met with a fire and a smoke condition and an “all hands” was called sending additional resources to the scene. Firefighters advanced a hose line and extinguished the fire. Fans were used to evacuate the smoke from the building.

Immediately after the fire was extinguished command called for the Trenton Police Department to respond with their arson investigator, Mercer County Prosecutors Office and the Trenton Fire Department Fire Marshal.

According to Trenton Police Department, Detective Lieutenant Cynthia Hargis, investigators believe the house fire was purposely set.  Investigators have a suspect in custody and was transported to Trenton Police Headquarters for questioning. The Mercer County Prosecutors Office and Trenton Police Detective Sergeant Hollo are working on the case. The investigation is still active and on-going at this time. 

Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News

Mercer County, State of NJ, Trenton

Governor Murphy Announces Appointment of Laurie Doran as Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness

June 4, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Murphy today announced the appointment of Laurie R. Doran as Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), effective June 6, 2021. Doran will take over for Director Jared Maples, who is departing state service to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Security Officer at the National Hockey League (NHL).

“I am proud to appoint Laurie Doran to serve as Acting Director of NJOHSP,” said Governor Murphy. “Laurie has served our country and our state honorably for over three decades, and she could not be more qualified for this role. At the same time, our loss in Jared is the NHL’s gain. He set a standard of excellence, integrity, and honorable service that I am confident Laurie will continue to uphold. I thank him for his years of service across multiple administrations.”

“Jared has been an incredible leader, mentor, and friend,” said Laurie R. Doran, incoming Acting Director of the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security. “NJOHSP will continue to benefit from his leadership, guidance and efforts, and we wish him the very best in his new endeavor. I look forward to carrying on our mission and thank Governor Murphy for this opportunity.”

Ms. Doran joined NJOHSP in April 2018 as Director of the Intelligence and Operations Division, after retiring from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with more than 32 years of service. At the CIA, she served as a Senior Manager and Operations Officer in the Directorate of Operations, serving overseas for the majority of her career.

Under Director Maples, Ms. Doran oversaw the activities of the Intelligence and Operations Division, collaborating with federal, State, and local partners on efforts related to counterterrorism and domestic terrorism, including other specific criminal matters with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and other law enforcement entities. Additionally, she implemented intelligence collection and outreach programs and resources to help NJOHSP meet its mission of keeping the residents and visitors of New Jersey safe.

Ms. Doran holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University.

“I want to thank Governor Murphy for the opportunity to serve New Jersey and build upon NJOHSP’s foundation,” said Jared M. Maples, Director of the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security. “I have full confidence that NJOHSP and our residents are in good hands with Laurie at the helm. Laurie’s breadth of experience in areas such as counterterrorism and counterintelligence has been immeasurable to our efforts in New Jersey and the nation.”

Maples has served as Director of NJOHSP since 2017. Prior to his current role, he served as Director of Administration for NJOHSP, and previously spent over a decade at the CIA and two years with the U.S. Department of Defense. Maples will transition to his role with the NHL as Executive Vice President and Chief Security Officer on June 7.

  • Governor Murphy today announced the appointment of Laurie R. Doran as Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), effective June 6, 2021.
Middlesex County, South Brunswick

Dump Truck Crash Closes Route 1 In South Brunswick

June 4, 2021

Update: 9:02 a.m. all lanes of Route 1 have reopened, it may take some time for traffic to clear.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–A dump truck crash on Route 1 is causing major delays on the highway and surrounding roads. The crash at 6:10 a.m. on Route 1 at New Road has caused all lanes northbound to be closed and southbound lanes are limited to one lane getting by the crash scene. The crash involves a dump truck that crashed into the concrete center divider. Crews are working to clear the crash and anticipate opening the highway by 9 am.

There is a two-mile delay in both directions on Route 1. There are also delays on Route 522, New Road, and Ridge Road. Drivers should use Route 130 as an alternate.

Photos by: South Brunswick Township