The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability announced on March 20 that it is investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred in the Marlton section of Evesham Township, Burlington County. The incident took place at approximately 4:38 a.m., resulting in the death of an adult male civilian. Authorities have not released the identities of the deceased or the officer involved.
The investigation is significant because it falls under N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), which requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement or while a person is in custody. Such investigations must be presented to a grand jury to determine if there is evidence for an indictment against any officers involved.
According to preliminary findings, an Evesham Township police officer attempted to stop a civilian vehicle while driving a marked police car. During this attempt, the civilian vehicle collided with another uninvolved civilian vehicle near Route 73 and Lincoln Drive. The driver of the first civilian vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, while investigators confirmed that the police vehicle was not directly involved in the collision.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin oversees such investigations as part of his statutory mandate to enforce laws and regulate public safety matters statewide according to the official website. The office extends its authority throughout all counties and municipalities in New Jersey according to the official website and provides services including legal representation, law enforcement oversight, crime lab support, victim advocacy, and consumer protection initiatives according to the official website.
The Attorney General’s Office continues its investigation into this incident. No further information has been released at this time.