HARRISON TOWNSHIP, NJ – Tragedy struck on Wednesday morning, June 14, when a motor vehicle crash occurred on Bridgeton Pike in Harrison Township. The Harrison Township Police Department promptly responded to the incident, which took place at around 8:35 a.m. Authorities have since conducted an investigation to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the collision.
According to the police report, the accident involved two vehicles. A 2012 Ford Fiesta, driven by a resident of Elk Township, was heading southbound on Bridgeton Pike, also known as State Highway 77. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford Fiesta unexpectedly swerved into the northbound lane, colliding with a 2023 Ford F-150. The F-150 was being operated by a Mullica Hill resident at the time of the crash.
As a result of the impact, Bridgeton Pike was temporarily closed off to traffic between Commissioners and Fislerville Roads for approximately three hours. Authorities worked diligently to ensure the safety of motorists and manage the aftermath of the collision.
Tragically, the driver of the Ford Fiesta, identified as 75-year-old Georgette Hayes, did not survive the crash. She was transported to Inspira Medical Center of Mullica Hill, where medical professionals pronounced her deceased. The occupants of the Ford F-150 sustained injuries but were fortunate enough to have non-life-threatening conditions. They, too, were taken to Inspira Medical Center of Mullica Hill for treatment.
Patrolman Thomas Watts and Sergeant Kurt Pflugfelder have been assigned to lead the ongoing investigation into the incident. Additionally, multiple agencies have been lending their support to ensure a thorough examination of the crash. These include the Mantua Township Police, Elk Township Police, Gloucester County EMS, Harrison Township Fire District, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).
As authorities delve deeper into the details of this tragic event, our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Georgette Hayes. The local community is left mourning the loss of a fellow resident, emphasizing the importance of road safety awareness and the need for cautious driving.