New Jersey Trooper Dies After Crash With Deer
Source Officer.com News
A New Jersey State Police trooper was killed and another was injured in a cruiser crash early Saturday morning.
Trooper Anthony Raspa and Trooper Gene Hong were patrolling in a Ford Crown Victoria eastbound on I-195 in Upper Freehold Township when they struck a deer before running off the right side of the road into some trees around 12:48 a.m., according to officials.
The 24-year-old male trooper, who had been on the force for 2 1/2 years, was transported to CentraState Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Trooper Hong was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton where he was treated for lacerations and a neck injury and was later released
"The entire NJSP family feels the sorrow of losing Tpr. Anthony Raspa, but our pain cannot compare to that of the Raspa family," a statement from the New Jersey State Police reads. "We have troopers with them to help in whatever way we can."
Raspa's family released this statement following the trooper's death:
"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."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Paul Peluso | Editor
Paul Peluso is the Managing Editor of OFFICER Magazine and has been with the Officer Media Group since 2006. He began as an Associate Editor, writing and editing content for Officer.com. Previously, Paul worked as a reporter for several newspapers in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD.
