15-Year-Old From Newark Driving Stolen Jeep Crosses Double Yellow Line Killing Both Herself And 61-Year-Old Driver From Kendall Park In Head-On-Crash, 14 Year-Old Passenger From Newark In Critical Condition

November 8, 2021 — Updated with official information from Princeton Police Department and Rutgers University:

The School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University is sad to announce the passing of our colleague Jodi Marcou. Jodi joined the school in January of 2018 as a Development Specialist and was a true asset to the school adding great value to the school’s development operation. Jodi was highly regarded by colleagues, donors, and alumni.

Dean Jonathan Potter expressed his deepest condolences to her family and friends upon hearing of the loss of Jodi saying that words are insufficient to express our deep sorrow for the loss of our colleague. We express our deepest sympathies and condolences to Jodi’s family and friends.

PRINCETON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On November 7, 2021 at 12:40 p.m., the Princeton Police Department was dispatched to a residence on the 100 block of Clover Lane for an attempted motor vehicle theft. The victim reported that three unknown suspects entered his vehicle in an attempt to steal the vehicle, which was parked in the driveway. The suspects were driving a 2015 black Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was later determined to be stolen out of Pequannock Township, NJ.

While Princeton Police were on scene investigating the attempted theft, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was observed traveling west on Clover Lane, followed by a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover. It was reported at that time that the Range Rover was just stolen from a residence on Dodds Lane.

The investigating officer returned to his vehicle and followed behind the Range Rover on Clover Lane. The Jeep Grand Cherokee drove away in an unknown direction.

The Range Rover suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed and the officer attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. A motor vehicle pursuit ensued but was terminated on Snowden Lane due to the reckless driving of the Range Rover. The Range Rover was last observed driving south on Snowden Lane, and made a left turn onto Princeton-Kingston Road. The Range Rover was later found abandoned in Newark, NJ.

At 1:09 p.m., Princeton Police were dispatched to Princeton-Kingston Road in the area of Carnegie Drive for a motor vehicle crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by a 15 year old juvenile was traveling east on Princeton-Kingston Road and crossed over the double yellow line and struck head-on a 2016 Acura RDX driven by Jodi Marcou that was traveling west. Marcou and the 15 year old driver were both pronounced dead at the scene. The 14 year old passenger was transported to Capitol Health Regional Medical Center in Princeton, NJ and is in critical condition.

The crash is being investigated by the Princeton Police Department and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. PPD is requesting that anybody who witnessed the crash to contact Traffic Safety Bureau supervisor Sergeant Thomas Murray at 609-921-2100 ext. 1879.

An additional press release will follow when new information becomes available.

Vehicle #1

Jodi Marcou (Driver) Kendall Park,, NJ 08088 61 years old (Deceased)

Vehicle #2:

15 year old juvenile (Driver) Newark, NJ (Deceased)

14 year old juvenile (Passenger) Newark, NJ