An accident involving a New Jersey State Police troop car Saturday resulted in the death of one of the two troopers who were in the vehicle, the NJSP said.
The Ford Crown Victoria was patrolling eastbound on Interstate 195 when it struck a deer and then ran off the right side of the road into some trees at at 12:48 a.m. today. No other vehicles were involved. The driver, Anthony Raspa, a 24-year-old male trooper, was killed in the crash. He was taken to CentraState Hospital in Freehold where he was declared by doctors.
The second occupant, Trooper Gene Hong, 29, was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton where he was treated for lacerations and a neck injury. He is expected to be released soon.
Both troopers were assigned to Hamilton Station and on duty at the time of the accident.
This is the first line of duty death in the New Jersey State Police since James Hoopes died in 2012. The last traffic related death was Trooper Marc Castellano, who was struck by a car while outside of his vehicle. Castellano was killed on Interstate 195 in June of 2010.
A young man with a promising career cut short.
My condolences to the family.
such sad news. my condolences to the family and friends and the other police officers.
So so sad. our condolences to the family. thanks for your service.