Crash Kills 1, Hurts 1 Pedestrian

NORTH CAPE MAY – Lower Township Police Department received notification of a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 9 South (Ferry Road) and Bayshore Road in North Cape May at approximately 5:21 p.m.  Dec. 16.   
According to a release, initial reports indicated two pedestrians had been struck by a motor vehicle and were in need of medical assistance. Lower Township police, rescue, medics and fire were all dispatched to the crash scene.
Two medevac helicopters were requested and responded to the Cape May County Airport for airlift. Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Police and maintenance also assisted on scene.  
Initial investigation revealed that two adult male pedestrians were standing next to a traffic light pole, in the middle of the intersection on a concrete median, waiting to finish crossing U.S. Highway 9 South. A 2012 Nissan Murano, with three occupants, was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 9 South through the intersection, crossing Bayshore Road (County Road 603).  
The two pedestrians entered the roadway and were subsequently struck by the motor vehicle as they entered the vehicle’s lane of traffic. Witnesses on scene and video surveillance footage revealed that the motor vehicle had the right of way because the traffic light was green throughout the entire incident.  
In accordance with local policies and procedures, coordination was made with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and New Jersey State Police due to the nature and degree of the injuries. Lower Township Detective Bureau and police administrators were notified and responded to assist with the investigation.  
Follow up investigation revealed that both injured pedestrians were taken by medevac to AtlantiCare’s Trauma Center, City Division. Lower Township police were notified by the Cape May County Medical Examiner’s office that one of the two pedestrians had succumbed to his injuries sustained in the crash.  The second pedestrian remains in critical condition.  
At this time, there are no criminal charges pending and the crash remains under investigation.