TRENTON – ROBBINSVILLE – ALLENTOWN, NJ — The National Weather Service forecast states a chance of snow showers between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 37F. Breezy, with a west wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tonight, will be mostly clear, with a low around 22F. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Snow falls in the Allentown – Robbinsville, New Jersey area the moring of November 28, 2023
Good morning! The cold air has arrived and some flakes of snow may soon follow! It will be a blustery day with highs mostly in the 30s but winds gusting 25 to 35 mph making it feel a good 10-15 degrees colder. Also, lake effect flurries and snow showers have been ongoing across portions of central and western PA and as we head into the day today, some of these are likely to make it into eastern PA beginning this morning. It’s even possible some of these could briefly be on the heavier side especially across portions of Chester County north through the Lehigh Valley into the southern Poconos. Be alert for rapidly changing visibility and slippery roads!
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police Department reported that on Monday November 27, 2023 at 5:37 p.m., police responded to a pedestrian struck at the intersection of Rabbit Hill Road and Abbington Lane. West Windsor Division of Fire and Emergency Services and police units arrived to find 12-year-old Ananta Ahuja and her dog lying on the roadway in the intersection. West Windsor Division of Fire and Emergency Services immediately rendered first aid to Ananta and transported her to Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries. Her dog died at the scene.
A preliminary investigation indicated that a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 65-year-old male traveling on Rabbit Hill Rd. struck Ananta and her dog while they were crossing the road.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team responded to the scene to assist with the ongoing investigation. The identity of the driver of the Jeep is being withheld pending further investigation. Anyone with pertinent information directly related to this collision is asked to contact Traffic Officer E. McQuade #597 at (609) 799-1222, our Anonymous Tipline at (609) 799-0452, or at his email: McQuade@westwindsorpolice.com.
Letter from David Aderhold, Ed.D Superintendent of Schools sent to Parents and Guardians of Community Middle School:
Dear Community Middle School Parents/Guardians:
I am saddened to report to you that one of our students at Community Middle School, Ananta Ahuja, tragically died when she was struck by a motor vehicle this evening, Nov. 27, 2023. Our condolences go out to her family and friends.
Ananta was a 7th grade student on Team 7A. Many adolescents and members of our community will be impacted (either directly or indirectly) by the news of the passing of a classmate. School counselors, case managers, and staff from Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care will be available tomorrow in the media center to assist students.
If you feel that your son or daughter is having difficulty coping with this event, please let us know as soon as possible. As always, our counselors and administration will remain accessible to the entire student body. We ask parents to notify us directly if their child may be having on-going difficulties.
Please keep in mind that any traumatic event can trigger an emotional reaction, even to an unrelated event (family illness, prior losses, etc.). Please review the below links for suggestions on how to comfort one after an unexpected loss and for some of the more common characteristics of an adolescent who may be having difficulty coping.
Additional resources can be found in the Counseling section of the District website.
TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced today that DCR has entered into a Consent Order and Decree resolving a complaint alleging that Mercer County Community College discriminated against an employee who contracted COVID-19 by firing the employee rather than extending his medical leave or allowing him to work remotely.
Under the Consent Order announced today, Mercer County Community College will be required to rehire the complainant and pay him $50,000 as compensation for his lost wages and benefits and damages for his pain and suffering. The Consent Order also requires the College to ensure that its policies and practices comply with the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), including by ensuring that its policies expressly acknowledge that the College must engage in an interactive process with an employee who requests a disability accommodation and that a leave of absence may be a reasonable accommodation under the law. Through an interactive process, employers and employees work together to identify and select reasonable accommodations that allow the worker to perform the essential functions of the job.
Under the Consent Order, the College must also pay $10,000 to DCR, must train its employees to comply with the LAD, and must provide regular reports to DCR about how it handles accommodation requests it receives.
“Under New Jersey law, an employee who suffers a serious illness or disability may be entitled to an accommodation that allows them to recover and heal rather than be fired because they are unable to return to work,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We will continue to pursue disability discrimination complaints on behalf of those workers who have not been treated fairly, justly, or with respect.”
“October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and our message is clear: We will hold accountable any employer who discriminates on the basis of disability, including against employees who have contracted COVID-19,” said Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. “The LAD’s protections against disability discrimination in employment are robust, and enforcing them remains a key priority for our office.”
New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination is one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country. Among other things, the law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation on the basis of an actual or perceived disability. This means that employers, housing providers, or places of public accommodation cannot deny equal treatment to any person because of a disability. It also means that an employer must provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. “Reasonable accommodations” can include, among other things, job restructuring, modified work schedules or leaves of absence, job reassignment, and making facilities usable by persons with a disability. The law also requires employers to engage in an “interactive process” with the employee to determine a suitable accommodation.
According to the Finding of Probable Cause issued by DCR in this case, the employee was hospitalized in critical condition on a ventilator in December 2021 and subsequently developed pneumonia, kidney failure, sepsis, and motor issues. Several months later, his sick time and sick bank credits were exhausted. He submitted medical documentation indicating that he needed an extension of his leave until September 2022 while he recovered. When he was unable to convince the College to extend his leave beyond July, he asked if he could work a hybrid schedule. But the College denied his request and terminated him. His replacement was hired in October, nearly three months after he offered to work a hybrid schedule and a little over a month after his doctor anticipated he would be able to return to work. DCR concluded in its Finding of Probable Cause that the college offered no evidence that granting the employee’s request for an extension of leave, or allowing him to work a hybrid schedule, would have imposed an undue hardship on its business operations.
The settlement announced today requires Mercer County Community College to take the following steps:
Rehire the complainant into a position with the same salary he previously had; Pay the complainant lost wages equivalent to the amount the complainant would have made had he not been terminated as well as compensatory damages for pain, suffering, and humiliation, with the total amount paid to the complainant totaling $50,000; Pay $10,000 to DCR; Calculate future promotions and payment for the complainant based on his time in the position as if he was not terminated; Agree to a two-year period during which the College will report to DCR on, and DCR will monitor, all accommodation requests from employees; Revise the College’s anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy to include additional detail on the right to request a reasonable accommodation, and train staff on that policy.
The Mercer County Community College matter was handled by Division of Law Deputy Attorney General Geoffrey Gersten under the supervision of Section Chief James Michael.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)– An Affidavit of Probable Cause and Complaint Warrant obtained through an OPRA Request by MidJersey.news has shed some light on the recent murder of Elaine Murray in West Windsor, New Jersey. Several charges have been filed against Denzel Whitmore of Hamilton Township, NJ for murder, burglary and tampering with evidence. According to the affidavit he drove to Maryland, flew to Florida and back and turned himself in at Hamilton Police Department after seeing a news article of the murder.
According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause: “On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at approximately 8:08 p.m., the West Windsor Police Communications received a call for service from a concerned neighbor residing at 33 Galston Drive, requesting officer check the welfare of the resident at 35 Galston Drive identified as Elaine Murray, who resides alone at said address. The neighbor stated she speaks with Murray daily and had not heard from her in several days and began observing the mail piling up. The neighbor went next door prior to contacting West Windsor Police and observed a broken ground level window leading to the basement with traces of blood on the glass and a pulled back screen on a first-floor front window.”
“Upon West Windsor Police arrival, after attempts were made to contact the resident to no avail, they made entry into the residence via an unlocked open front door. While checking the residence for Murray, numerous drops of blood were located throughout the residence. Upon entering the second floor of the residence, Murray was located deceased, lying prone, with obvious signs of injuries about her face. She was bleeding from the back of her head, blood coming from her ears, eyes and mouth and sustained a skin tear on her right arm. Murray additionally had bruising around both of her eyes and blood on her nose.”
Prior to the incident on July 31, 2023, Hamilton Police Division received a report for a missing suicidal male identified as Denzel Whitmore who resides with his mother in Hamilton Township.
Denzel Whitmore’s mother stated that, her son came home at 5:24 a.m. on 7/31/23 and stated he had “killed someone last night.” She stated he then went to bed and she left for school without further conversation. Prior to calling the police at 4:32 p.m., the mother stated that, “Whitmore returned to the residence and began crying. She stated Whitmore told her he was “going on the run” because he broke into a house through possibly a window on the previous evening and strangled an unknown white female. Adams further stated Whitmore believed he had broken the female’s trachea because blood was coming from her mouth. She stated Whitmore began searching the news websites but could not find a report of the incident. Whitmore claimed to be highly intoxicated at the time of the incident and believed it may have occurred in East Windsor. Whitmore told Adams he could not live with the guilt and was going to harm himself. She further recalled that Whitmore had multiple cuts on his right hand that coincided with his story of breaking into a house, possibly through a window.”
She became concerned when Whitmore left the house in his vehicle and began texting her that he was sorry and that he would miss her.
Whitmore and his vehicle were entered NCIC as missing endangered by Hamilton Polie. A check with local law enforcement agencies for any type of burglary or assaults report returned negative results at the time.
The affidavit states Whitmore’s phone was located in Aberdeen, Maryland.
“Hamilton Police contacted Harford County Sheriff’s office which covers that area and requested assistance in locating Whitmore. Deputies were advised of his suicidal statements to Adams and his account of breaking into a residence and killing someone while intoxicated. Deputies located Whitmore in the parking lot of Fairfield Inn & Suites sitting in the driver’s seat of his Gray 2016 Honda Accord”
“Deputies observed Whitmore to have Band Aids on his right hand and scratches and lacerations on his right forearm. Whitmore could not recall when asked by Deputies how he received the wounds. Deputies received consent to search Whitmore’s vehicle and located a fixed blade knife with blood on the handle which was seized. Additionally, two loaded Glock magazines, 9mm and .357 ammunition were also found inside the vehicle however no firearm was located. Whitmore did not appear suicidal while speaking with Deputies and was released at that time.”
On August 3, 2023, police executed a search warrant at 35 Galston Drive in West Windsor. “During the search, the body of Elaine Murray was turned over to the Middlesex County medical examiner for autopsy. Search revealed a suspect entered the residence by breaking a glass window on the right side of the basement and entered into the basement. Blood, presumed to belong to the suspect, was observed on the broken glass. A blood trail lead up the stairs to the first floor. More blood was located on the victim’s purse and wallet, in the living room on the first floor. Upstairs, on the second story, the victim was located laying face up on the floor in the doorway to her office at the top of the stairs. There was further evidence of a blood trail on the stairs leading up to the victim. In the victim’s bedroom, blood was located on the floor, which included bloody shoe imprints. The sheets on the victims bed were removed and one memory foam pillow with distinct diagonal line patterns was located. Additional, a pillow covering with a floral pattern and blood stains was located.”
On August 3, 2023, concerned citizens contacted Hamilton Police to report a “body” in the waterway known as Crosswicks Creek. This body of water is located near the residence of the suspect, Denzel Whitmore, on Zachary Lane. The alleged body in the water that was reported was investigated and determined to be a trash bag containing a blue plastic tarp. Within the tarp, police located blood stained sheets, a blood stained pillow, and other items of evidential value. The blood stained pillow specifically was similar to the pillow located at 35 Galston Dr., in that it was memory foam and had diagonal line patterns. Also within the tarp was located a pillow covering with the floral decorative pattern, according to the affidavit.
On August 3, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Denzel Whitmore and his mother arrived unannounced at the Hamilton Police Department. Whitmore was placed under arrest at that time, and his cellular phone was seized as evidence. Charges were authorized by AP Laura Kotarba against Whitmore for Murder, Felony Murder, Burglary, and Tampering with Evidence.
The mother was interviewed by Hamilton Police on August 3, 2023, and she stated in the affidavit that “she told Denzel Whitmore he needed to come home and he agreed to, and that he flew back from Florida to where he had left his car in Maryland and then drove back to his residence in Hamilton Twp., where he arrived today.”
“He told her that he saw a news article regarding the murder of Elain Murray and knew that he had actually committed that crime.” She decided to drive Denzel Whitmore to Hamilton Police Department so he could turn himself in.
Homicide Taskforce detectives attempted to conduct an interview with Denzel Whitmore, but he declined to provide a statement. Subsequently, Denzel Whitmore was processed for his arrest.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Denzel Whitmore, Hamilton Township, NJ
Video of the search of woods in Hamilton sent in by a MidJersey.news reader.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and West Windsor Police Chief Robert Garofalo announced today that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the West Windsor Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a Hamilton Township man for the death of Elaine Murray.
Denzel Whitmore, 24, of Hamilton, NJ, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of second-degree burglary and one count of fourth-degree tampering with evidence. He was taken into custody without incident Thursday afternoon in Hamilton Township. The prosecutor’s office will file a motion to detain Whitmore pending trial.
On Wednesday evening, August 2, 2023, just after 8 p.m., West Windsor police responded to a residence on Galston Drive after neighbors went to conduct a well-being check on a female neighbor who lives alone and noticed evidence of a break-in. Officers were able to make entry into the residence and located Elaine Murray, 71, lying on the floor of a second-floor bedroom deceased. She appeared to have visible signs of injuries to her face and she was bleeding from the back of her head.
Prosecutor Onofri and Chief Garofalo would like to extend their thanks to the New Jersey State Police, the Hamilton Police Division and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office (Maryland) for their assistance in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Jacob Schor at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Denzel Whitmore, 24, of Hamilton, NJ, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of second-degree burglary and one count of fourth-degree tampering with evidence.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and West Windsor Police Chief Robert Garofalo reported that the death of a 71-year-old West Windsor woman is under investigation.
On Wednesday evening, August 2, 2023, just after 8 p.m., West Windsor police responded to a residence on Galston Drive after neighbors went to conduct a well-being check on a female neighbor who lives alone and noticed evidence of a break-in. Officers were able to make entry into the residence and located Elaine Murray, 71, lying on the floor of a second-floor bedroom deceased. She appeared to have visible signs of injuries to the face, neck and head.
The death is under investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the West Windsor Police Department. No arrests have been made and the cause of Ms. Murray’s death is pending autopsy. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Jacob Schor at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
WEST WINDSOR-PRINCETON, NJ (MERCER)–An emergency bridge replacement is scheduled to start Friday involving the Washington Road (CR 571) Bridge over D&R Canal, between Princeton and West Windsor Township.
On or about Friday, July 21, 2023, an emergency bridge replacement project will be undertaken by the Department of Transportation (NJDOT) on Washington Road (CR 571) over D&R Canal in the Municipality of Princeton and West Windsor Township. Washington Road will be completely closed to traffic for the duration of the project, which is expected to be approximately 120 days, weather permitting. Motorists will be directed to use US Route 1, Harrison Street (CR 629) and NJ Route 27.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police have identified the deceased victim of the Old Trenton Road crash on June 26, 2023, as Jamson Lysius, 43-years-old, of Trenton, NJ.
Six others were injured, and the crash is still under investigation.
West Windsor Police reported that at 10:40 p.m. on June 26, 2023, the West Windsor Township Communications Center dispatched Patrol Units to Old Trenton Road near Cubberley Road for a Serious Motor Vehicle Collision. Further dispatch included possible entrapment in the one vehicle crash.
Upon arrival of police, they found that, a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, had overturned with seven total occupants/victims. Of the seven occupants, three were ejected from the Nissan during the collision. One victim was found to have no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene.
West Windsor Township Division of Fire & Emergency Services, Lawrence Township EMS, Robbinsville EMS, RWJ Ambulance, East Windsor EMS, and Capital Health Medics attended to the victims. All six of the remaining victims sustained a variety of injuries and were transported to the Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Two of the victims are listed as being in Critical Condition with life threatening injuries while the remaining four victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
A preliminary investigation revealed the following; the Nissan Pathfinder had been traveling westbound on Old Trenton Road just west of Cubberley Road on a straight section of roadway. It was raining and the roadway was wet. The Pathfinder lost control, exited the roadway to the right, and overturned multiple times in the 1400 Block of Old Trenton Road where it ultimately came to its final resting place. Three of the Pathfinder’s seven passengers were ejected (including the decedent). The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office (SCRT) and the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene.
The investigation is currently ongoing under the direction of Traffic Sgt. K. Loretucci #76.. No identities are being released at this time. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours. If anyone has any pertinent information to share about this crash, please contact Traffic Officer F. Sabatino #83 at (609) 799-1222, our Anonymous Tipline at (609) 799-0452, or Sabatino@westwindsorpolice.com.
Agencies involved:
1) WWPD Communications Center, Patrol Division, Traffic Unit, & Detective Bureau 2) West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services 3) Capital Health Medics 4) West Windsor Volunteer Fire Station #43 5) Princeton Jct. Volunteer Fire Station #44 6) Robbinsville Township PD 7) Hamilton Township PD 8) Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team (SCRT) 9) Lawrence Twp. EMS #129 10) Robbinsville Twp. Ambulance #40 11) RWJ Ambulance #110-1 12) East Windsor Ambulance #142-2 13) Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)—West Windsor Police reported that last night at 10:40 p.m. on June 26, 2023, the West Windsor Township Communications Center dispatched Patrol Units to Old Trenton Road near Cubberley Road for a Serious Motor Vehicle Collision. Further dispatch included possible entrapment in the one vehicle crash.
Upon arrival of police, they found that, a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, had overturned with seven total occupants/victims. Of the seven occupants, three were ejected from the Nissan during the collision. One victim was found to have no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene.
West Windsor Township Division of Fire & Emergency Services, Lawrence Township EMS, Robbinsville EMS, RWJ Ambulance, East Windsor EMS, and Capital Health Medics attended to the victims. All six of the remaining victims sustained a variety of injuries and were transported to the Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Two of the victims are listed as being in Critical Condition with life threatening injuries while the remaining four victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
A preliminary investigation revealed the following; the Nissan Pathfinder had been traveling westbound on Old Trenton Road just west of Cubberley Road on a straight section of roadway. It was raining and the roadway was wet. The Pathfinder lost control, exited the roadway to the right, and overturned multiple times in the 1400 Block of Old Trenton Road where it ultimately came to its final resting place. Three of the Pathfinder’s seven passengers were ejected (including the decedent). The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office (SCRT) and the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene.
The investigation is currently ongoing under the direction of Traffic Sgt. K. Loretucci #76.. No identities are being released at this time. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours. If anyone has any pertinent information to share about this crash, please contact Traffic Officer F. Sabatino #83 at (609) 799-1222, our Anonymous Tipline at (609) 799-0452, or Sabatino@westwindsorpolice.com.
Agencies involved: 1) WWPD Communications Center, Patrol Division, Traffic Unit, & Detective Bureau 2) West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services 3) Capital Health Medics 4) West Windsor Volunteer Fire Station #43 5) Princeton Jct. Volunteer Fire Station #44 6) Robbinsville Township PD 7) Hamilton Township PD 8) Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team (SCRT) 9) Lawrence Twp. EMS #129 10) Robbinsville Twp. Ambulance #40 11) RWJ Ambulance #110-1 12) East Windsor Ambulance #142-2 13) Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police report that the missing man was found safe early this morning in a message around 6:00 a.m. Police, Fire and Rescue crews searched many trails at Mercer County Park in to the early morning hours. No further details were provided.
May 30, 2023
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–A search is under way in the East Picnic Area of Mercer County Park and surrounding area for a man that went missing that suffers from dementia. Olegas Poplavskis walked away from his camp site earlier today and has not returned. He was last seen wearing red/yellow black striped t-shirt, black jeans, and gray shoes. If you happen to encounter Olegas Poplavskis please contact West Windsor Police Department at 609-799-1222
Olegas Poplavskis was found safe after walking away from his camp site yesterday. After an extensive search of Mercer County Park and surrounding areas it was reported he was found safe sometime before 6:00 a.m. No further details were released.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police say that at 4:21 a.m., WWPD Communications detailed Patrol Units to a Serious Motor Vehicle Crash on US Route 1 North at Washington Road. Upon Patrol’s arrival, they immediately began to render first aid to the occupants of both two vehicles. Vehicle #1 (2011 Honda Accord), which was embedded into trees in the AT&T parking lot, had been occupied by five people and was on fire. Two of the occupants were still entrapped inside of the burning car. Vehicle #2 (2023 Kia Sorrento) was found within the Penns Neck Circle disabled from the crash and sustained unknown injuries. Police Officers worked valiantly to free the remaining occupants of the Honda Accord. Princeton Junction Fire Company, West Windsor Fire Company, and West Windsor Emergency Services worked in unison to extinguish the raging fire and assist the injured parties. In addition, Princeton Fire Department, Plainsboro EMS #100, Lawrence EMS #129, Princeton EMS #168, Trenton EMS (TEMS), and Capital Health Medics arrived on scene. Ultimately, the remaining occupants were removed from Honda Accord. The front seat passenger of the Accord sustained life threatening injuries and all lifesaving efforts were being employed. The four other occupants, including the driver of Vehicle #1 and Driver #2 all sustained injuries which were later considered non-life threatening. All six of the injured were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment. The front seat passenger of Honda Accord succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Police say that no identities are being released at this time.
The initial investigation at the scene revealed the following: A 2011 Honda Accord was traveling east bound on Washington Road at the Penns Neck Circle (with US Route 1). 2023 Kia Sorrento was traveling north bound on US Route 1 North. The Honda Accord attempted to cross all lanes of US Route 1 North & South. The Honda Accord collided with Kia Sorrento in the US Route 1 North lanes. The Honda continued off of the roadway where it struck a traffic light stanchion and a street sign on the grass median (for Washington Road). The Honda continued in a northeasterly direction, reentered the roadway, entered into the AT&T parking lot where it struck numerous trees at the back portion of the lot, and came to its final resting place on fire. The Kia Sorrento continued in a northeasterly direction and came to its final resting place facing east in the Penns Neck Circle off of US Route 1 North.
Washington Road between US Route 1 North and Fairview Avenue was closed for approximately (5) hours. US Route 1 traffic was delayed in the area for the same duration. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team (MCPO SCRT) responded to the scene to assist with the ongoing investigation. If anyone has any pertinent information to share into this collision, please contact Traffic Officer E. McQuade #97 at (609) 799-1222, our Anonymous Tipline at (609) 799-0452, or McQuade@westwindsorpolice.com.
Driver #1: Resident of Somerset, NJ Passenger of Vehicle #1: Resident of Somerset, NJ *DECEASED* Passenger of Vehicle #1: Resident of Somerset, NJ Passenger of Vehicle #1: Resident of Somerset, NJ Passenger of Vehicle #1: Resident of New Brunswick, NJ
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police Department reported at 1:50 p.m., today, the West Windsor Police Department Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call regarding a structure fire at a residence in Benford Estates. The call originated from a landscaper who was to perform work across the street from the blaze. Patrol Units were dispatched and arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and observed an active fire that had engulfed the kitchen area of the of the home. West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services, West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company, Princeton Junction Fire Company, Plainsboro Fire Department, Princeton Fire Department and Hamilton Fire Department arrived at the scene to battle the fire. West Windsor Township Division of Fire & Emergency Services Chief Lynch deemed the fire as under control at 2:07 p.m.
The West Windsor Police Department Drone Unit responded to assist in locating any potential hot spots for the firefighters. In addition, the West Windsor Police Department Detective Bureau and the West Windsor Fire Marshal responded to conduct a thorough investigation. The initial investigation determined that the fire was accidental in nature. The West Windsor Township Construction Office determined that the residence was uninhabitable as a result of the fire. There were no injuries reported to any persons including all first responders during the incident. The residents were making alternate arrangements for shelter at the time of this release.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)—West Windsor Police Department reported on May 6, 2023 at 2:57 p.m., the WWPD Communications Center detailed Traffic & Patrol Units to area of 15 Roszel Road for a Serious Motor Vehicle Collision. West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services attended to the victim, a 73-year-old resident of Princeton, and the sole occupant of a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The driver sustained a head injury and was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton by West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services. The victim’s injuries were considered life threatening.
Police say that the initial investigation revealed the following, the VW Jetta was traveling Southbound on Roszel Road on straight portion of roadway. The VW Jetta entered into the Northbound lanes and continued in a southeasterly direction where it struck the Northbound curb. The Jetta continued off of the roadway and struck a utility pole and came to its final resting place. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. It is believed that this incident may have been the result of a medical event for the driver.
Traffic & Patrol Units were able to maintain an open roadway during the investigation. If anyone has any pertinent information to share about this collision, please contact Traffic Officer F. Sabatino #83 at (609) 799-1222, our Anonymous Tipline at (609) 799-0452, or Sabatino@westwindsorpolice.com
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri wants to warn the public of a telephone scam where a caller falsely claimed to be a law enforcement Officer employed by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
On April 20, 2023, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Cyber Crimes Unit, was contacted by the Cranbury Township Police Department in Middlesex County and advised that a victim reported that they received a call from a number purporting to be the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the caller falsely claimed to be “Sergeant Whitlock” with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. The scammer claimed the resident had a warrant for their arrest and directed the victim to drive to a drugstore to purchase gift cards.
As a reminder, law enforcement will never ask for payment of any type over the phone, nor will they ask for personal identifying information that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Law enforcement, government agencies, and courts will never ask you to pay by unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Scammers often research their potential victims on the internet and social media. Scammers will call and deceive their victims into thinking the callers are law enforcement officers, prosecutors or police employees. Scammers may spoof a law enforcement telephone number, falsely showing on the victim’s caller ID. Spoofed phone numbers are typically done through a VPN (Virtual Private Network) making it difficult for law enforcement to track the actual caller. The scammers may threaten their victims with arrest for outstanding warrants or other legal issues.
Should you receive a call from a police department within Mercer County and/or the Prosecutor’s Office, please confirm with whom you are speaking. If you believe you received a scam telephone call, hang up and call the main phone number to the police department or Prosecutor’s Office (609-989-6351). If legitimate, you’ll be connected with a Police Dispatcher or receptionist who can verify the caller’s identity. Report any scam calls to your local law enforcement agency.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Just after 12:00 p.m. the West Windsor Police Department, and Division of Emergency Services, West Windsor Fire responded to the intersection of Edinburg Road and New Village Road for a two-vehicle crash with one vehcile on its side. A rescue assignment was detailed for reports of entrapment. The roadway was closed until repairs were made to a downed traffic signal. West Windsor Police Department is investigating the crash. No other details are available.
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