Washington Township has experienced a fatal hit and run and fatal motor-vehicle crash in a two-week span, both involving pedestrians.
In the most recent incident, officers responded at 8:26 p.m. on Nov. 11 to a crash on Hurffville Cross Keys Road near Regulus Drive, directly in front of Jefferson Hospital, according to police. The accident involved a vehicle and a pedestrian. Preliminary investigation indicates that a black Chevrolet Silverado traveling southbound on Hurffville Cross Keys struck a man in the southbound lane.
The pedestrian, identified as George H. West by his Jefferson Hospital medical ID band, sustained criticial injuries. First-arriving officers immediately attempted CPR at the scene, but West was later pronounced deceased at Jefferson Hospital.
The driver of the Silverado stopped at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation, police said. Hurffville Cross Keys Road was temporarily closed for about two hours while officers conducted their investigation.
Detectives continue to investigate the fatal hit and run on Fries Mill Road that occurred at approximately 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. Preliminary findings revealed that a male pedestrian – later identified as 58-year-old John DeMarco – was struck by an unknown vehicle in the southbound lane of Fries Mill Road while walking on the roadway, police said.
The vehicle fled the scene following impact, and was not identified at the time of the initial investigation. DeMarco was transported to Cooper Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Fries Mill Road was closed for approximately two hours and the hit and run remains under investigation.
Police are seeking the public’s help and have updated their hit and run investigation on the department’s social media page. Police so far have:
• Collected and reviewed video footage showing the victim’s movements;
• Knocked on more than 75 doors to conduct interviews with residents and witnesses;
• Contacted and interviewed local businesses for potential leads;
• Actively reviewed additional video sources;
• Followed up on multiple tips from the community; and
• Collaborated with the NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau), the county prosecutor’s office, and state partners to deepen the investigation.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office released three photos of a vehicle in question on Nov. 15.
They are looking for and want to identify and speak to the driver.
“This individual is believed to have valuable information relevant [in the Fries Mill hit and run],” the prosecutor’s office said.
Both fatal crashes remain under active investigation. Anyone who witnessed the one on Nov. 11 is encouraged to email officer Edward Appel at Eappel@pd.twp.washington.nj.us or call (856) 589-6650. Anyone who witnessed the Nov. 4 crash or has any information can email officer Frank Cicalese at fjcicalese@pd.twp.washington.nj.us or call the detective bureau at (856) 589-0330.
