Improper Left Turn Resulted In Fatal Crash In Lawrence Township Yesterday

June 2, 2023-Update

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Police say that on June 1, 2023 at approximately 12:17 p.m., the Lawrence Township Police Department responded to the area of Brunswick Pike (Route 1) and Franklin Corner Rd for a motor vehicle crash involving a dump truck and a sedan.

The driver of the dump truck (Suleyman Durdu, 28-year-old male from Bordentown, NJ) sustained moderate non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the sedan (Daijah McKithen, 18-year-old female from Lawrenceville, NJ) succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased on-scene

The investigation into this fatal crash has determined that the cause was the result of an improper left turn made by the driver of the sedan (Ms. McKithen). Video evidence obtained by investigators showed the sedan driving northbound on Brunswick Pike in the center lane. As the sedan approached the traffic signal at Bakers Basin Rd, the sedan made an abrupt left turn towards Franklin Corner Rd across several lanes of traffic. As the sedan attempted to cross the highway, the dump truck traveling southbound impacted the sedan on the southbound side of the highway. It was determined that the traffic signal was green for both north and southbound Brunswick Pike traffic.

The driver of the dump truck has been admitted to a local medical facility and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No charges are expected to be filed against the driver of the dump truck.

Any any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact Officer Thomas Everist @ 609- 896-1111 / teverist@lawrencetwp.com or Detective Paulina Way @ 609-844-7133 / pway@lawrencetwp.com.