BREAKING: At Least One Killed In Early Morning Berkeley Area Crash

Authorities are investigating a fatal crash in N.J. Thursday morning that shut down some local roads.

Derik Groom, 23, of Barnegat was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

At approximately 4:14 a.m., Barnegat Police responded to the area of Route 539, at mile marker 14 for a report of a car hitting a telephone pole.

The investigation by Barnegat Police found that a 2001 silver Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by Groom, was traveling south on Route 539 when he struck the pole off the west side of the road, police said.

There were no other occupants in the vehicle. Groom, who was wearing his seatbelt, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced at the scene at 4:34 a.m., police said.

The preliminarily investigation indicates that Groom’s vehicle left the roadway for a brief period of time before striking a couple of trees and then a telephone pole. There is no indication that alcohol may have been a factor, police said.

Groom was on his way home from work when the crash occurred, police said.

Agencies assisting included the Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company, Barnegat Volunteer First Aid Squad, Manchester Police, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Ocean County Medical Examiner.

The accident is still under investigation by the Barnegat Township Police Traffic Safety Unit and Ocean County Medical Examiner.

Route 539 was closed both ways from the time officer’s arrived on scene and was just reopened at 9:27 am.