New Jersey State Trooper Killed, Partner Injured In 1-Car Crash In Upper Freehold
UPPER FREEHOLD TWP., N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey State Police trooper was killed and his partner injured in a car crash overnight in Freehold.
The crash happened around 12:45 a.m. Saturday on I-195 in Upper Freehold Township. The cruiser was heading east when it struck a deer, veered off the road and slammed into a tree.
"The damage to the troop car was just catastrophic," said New Jersey State Police Capt. Stephen Jones.
The driver, 24-year-old Trooper Anthony Raspa, was pronounced dead at the hospital. His partner, 29-year-old Gene Hong, was in the passenger seat and was treated for a neck injury and released from the hospital.
As CBS2's Ilana Gold reported, the crash is taking a toll on troopers, especially in Hamilton where Raspa was assigned.
"The entire state police family has to pull together at a time like this," said Jones.
The entire NJSP family mourns the loss of Trooper Anthony Raspa #7425, 24, of the 152nd class who died in this morning's crash. #neverforget
— NJSP - State Police (@NJSP) May 30, 2015
In the neighborhood where Raspa grew up in Highland Park, there is heartbreak for a family with deep roots in the community and for a young man who just became a state trooper in 2013.
"For any family to lose a 24-year-old child is really a tragedy," neighbor Paula Antebi told CBS2's Steve Langford.
Raspa's family released a statement Saturday, saying "Today our family lost an incredible son, brother, grandson, cousin, friend and person. Anthony was a phenomenal young man with a heart of gold and a passion for life. While he is no longer physically with us, we are so grateful for the 24 years of love and loyalty we shared with him.
Anthony was passionate about law enforcement and took great pride in being a NJ State Trooper. He will forever be in our minds and in our hearts. The family is so appreciative of all of the love and support. We ask that you respect our privacy at this time as we continue to grieve."
Both troopers have been on the force for roughly a year and a half. At this point, it remains unclear how fast the cruiser was going, but both troopers did have their seat belts on, Gold reported.
Hong is now home recovering but neighbors know the loss of his partner is a wound that may never heal.
"He must be very sad now," said neighbor Ivanka Liao. "Oh my God, I can't even imagine."
Funeral arrangements for Raspa have yet to be finalized.
The last traffic-related death of a New Jersey state trooper happened in 2010, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.
The crash remains under investigation.