Another one of New Jersey’s finest lost his life in a tragic crash on Route 55. This incident reportedly occurred the evening of Dec. 5. As the victim was on duty when the collision occurred, his surviving family members may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits. They may also be able to file legal claims against the driver believed responsible in an effort to seek further compensation for their loss.
According to reports, 911 received several calls about an erratic driver in the southbound lanes of Route 55. The trooper — a 31-year-old male — who was responding to the calls, was in a northbound lane when his car was struck by a vehicle that left the southbound lanes and crossed the grassy median. It was not reported if the trooper died at the scene of the crash or if he was transported to a medical facility before succumbing to his injuries.
The driver believed responsible for this wreck was a 61-year-old male. He died at the scene of the crash. A friend of this individual said he had a medical condition which may have contributed to the incident. However, this case is still under investigation and the official cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
While the victim was still a fairly new member to the police force in New Jersey — having graduating from the police academy in January 2016, — his wife may still apply to receive workers’ compensation death benefits in order to help her handle the economic damages associated with her husband’s death. She may also file civil claims against the estate of the driver deemed responsible for the collision. If litigation proves successful, a monetary judgment may be awarded for both her economic and non-economic losses.
Source: philly.com, “‘Brilliant’ doctor lost in crash that also killed N.J. trooper“, Michael Boren, Dec. 9, 2016