High School Security Guard Found Dead On Garden State Parkway

Details were revealed after a N.J. man who worked a high school security guard was found dead on the Garden State Parkway Saturday, police said.

Police identified the 77-year-old Richard Baran of Lacey Township. He was found dead in his car near mile marker 67.9 on the northbound side, police said.

The car was found stopped in the center lane, police said.

Baran was a security guard at Southern Regional High School for about 20 years who formerly worked for the city of Bayonne until 1994, according to state pension records and his Facebook page.

He was widowed but friends referred to him as "gramps" on Facebook.

Baran's body was discovered after State Police arrived at the scene shortly after 6:25 a.m. and found him unconscious inside a Hyundai Sonata.

Police said the man most likely suffered a medical episode, saying no other cars were involved. An autopsy will determine the exact cause of death.

The death remains under investigation.

We'll have more information as it becomes available.

Patch file photos