Day: August 2, 2023

East Windsor, East Windsor, Mercer County

Person Extricated From Vehicle After Crashing With Gasoline Fuel Tanker On Route 130; Hazardous Material Teams On Scene

August 2, 2023

EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–East Windsor Fire Company reported that East Windsor Station 42 was dispatched at 3:55 a.m. to Route 130 near Princeton-Hightstown Rd. (Across from Burger King and in front of an old Chevrolet Dealership) for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment. A car and tanker truck were involved in an crash. The driver of the car was extricated from the vehicle and transported to a local hospital for treatment. East Windsor Fire Company Deputy 42, Assistant 42 & Rescue 42 were assisted at the scene by Hightstown Fire Company Chief 41, and Rescue 41, West Windsor Hazardous Materials Unit-HazMat 45, EMS 45 and Capital Health Paramedics 794.

East Windsor Fire Company provided an update at 9:40 a.m. Route 130is closed this morning between Rt. 571 & Dutch Neck Road for a few hours. Deputy 42, HazMat 45 and Engine 45 remain on scene while fuel is transferred from one tanker to another.

511NJ.org reported

NJ DOT – TOC South: Crash and Fluid Spill on US 130 northbound at South of CR 571/Princeton-Hightstown Rd (East Windsor Twp) 1 Right lane of 2 lanes closed use caution

NJSP Incident Management Unit with NJDOT is handling the traffic. We anticipate North and South 130 to be shut down when transferring the fuel.

Photos above by: Steven Kadir

Lacey, Ocean County

Careless Smoking Most Likely Cause Of Tragic Fire That Killed Family Of 4 And Injured Grandmother

“improperly discarded smoking material cannot be eliminated as the cause of the fire.”        

August 2, 2023

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 1, 2023, at approximately 12:30 p.m., a structure fire with entrapment was reported on Buttonwood Drive in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township.  Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered a fully engulfed two-story structure fire. 

Brenda Wright, 67, an occupant of the residence, was rescued from the rear of the structure.  Ms. Wright was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of her injuries; she is listed in stable condition.      

Reports indicated that there were four additional victims inside the structure. Attempts were made to rescue these victims, but the roof of the structure collapsed – forcing firefighters to evacuate.      

“It is with great sadness that I must report the loss of Jennifer Wright, 39; Alaina Wright, 34; a 14-year-old female victim; and a four-month-old infant, all of whom were occupants of the residence, and perished in the fire. This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our prayers are with the loved ones of these victims,” stated Prosecutor Billhimer.      

A thorough and extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Unit, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that the fire originated on the porch on the west side of the structure, and that improperly discarded smoking material cannot be eliminated as the cause of the fire.         

“The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.        

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office for their collective and collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation.        

Prosecutor Billhimer also extends his gratitude to all the neighbors, fire service personnel and emergency service personnel that responded in an effort to assist and suppress this fire.

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

Man Charged With Burglary After Court Appearance In Hamilton

August 2, 2023

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Police Department reported that Jewels C. Davis was placed under arrest on August 1, 20213 and charged with burglary to a vehicle that was parked in the parking lot of the Hamilton Township Court located at 1270 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd on July 28, 2023.      

The facts of the case are that Mr. Davis committed the burglary shortly after a court appearance in the Hamilton Township Court on an unrelated matter. He exited the court room and then proceeded to the parked vehicle entered same and removed personal items of the victim.        

Mr. Davis upon arrest provided a full confession as to his actions. He was processed and is awaiting trial on the charges.        

All parties are considered innocent until found guilty by a court of law.

Mercer County, Trenton

Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri Announces the Promotion of Jennifer Downing-Mathis to First Assistant Prosecutor

April 2, 2023

TRENTON — Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri recently announced the promotion of Jennifer Downing-Mathis to first assistant prosecutor.  FAP Downing-Mathis was sworn in this week by the Honorable Janetta D. Marbrey, J.S.C. at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse.      

In her new role, FAP Downing-Mathis will assist in formulating policy, overseeing investigations, and general oversight of several units in the office as well as the 210-member staff.  She has served as deputy first assistant since September 2016.      

“I look forward to working with Jennifer in her new role as this office strives to make Mercer County a safer community to live, work and visit,” Prosecutor Onofri said.       

FAP Downing-Mathis began her career with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in 1998 after completing a clerkship for the Honorable Paulette Sapp-Peterson, J.S.C.  During her time in the office, she has served as chief of the Megan’s Law Unit and chief of the Special Victims Unit, where she initiated the formation and accreditation process of the Robin H. Scheiner Child Advocacy Center.  FAP Downing-Mathis has vast experience in executive government administration, child abuse and sexual assault investigations, grant acquisitions, internal affairs, trial preparation, and legal research and analysis.            FAP Downing-Mathis finds time to give back to the community by mentoring and lecturing our youth and participating in community organizations such as the Eggerts Crossing Civic League. She is a member of the New Jersey State Bar, serving as a trustee for the Criminal Law Section, a past president of the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey (ABWLNJ), and interim secretary and a trustee for the Mercer County Bar Association. She is also a member of the National District Attorneys Association and the National Black Prosecutors Association.      

Additionally, FAP Downing-Mathis is significantly involved in the Mercer County Inns of Court, serves as chairperson of the Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children, is a Stigma Free Mercer task force member, and is a member of the Mercer Vicinage Superior Court Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.        

During her career, FAP Downing-Mathis has been honored with awards from the Cherish the Child Foundation, the New Jersey Women’s Hall of Fame and the ABWLNJ.  She was recently inducted into the Marquis Who’s Who in America.        

A lifelong Mercer County resident, FAP Downing-Mathis is a graduate of Lawrence High School.  She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor degree in Spanish from Rider University and her law degree from Widener University School of Law, where she was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society.  She is the proud daughter of Robert and Sarah Downing, both deceased.  Mr. Downing was Mercer County’s first Black undersheriff.  FAP Downing-Mathis resides in Ewing Township with her husband, retired MCPO Lieutenant Lloyd Mathis.