Volleyball Coach Killed After Car Hits Him On I-295, NJ State Police Say

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — A high school guidance counselor who coached volleyball died Tuesday night after he was hit by a car on the shoulder of I-295 South in Mount Laurel, New Jersey State Police said.

William "Bill" Scully had parked his Mercedes Benz on the right shoulder and was getting out of his vehicle, police said.

A southbound Nissan Altima drove into the right shoulder and struck him, police said. First responders took Scully, 49, of Stratford to Jefferson Memorial Hospital, where he later was pronounced dead.

Scully was a guidance counselor at Sterling High School in Somerdale (Camden County), where he also coached volleyball according to the school website.

The school has not issued a public statement yet. Principal Jared Claybourn sent out a Tweet reading "UKnighted as a School Community" with an emoji of hands praying on Wednesday morning.

Parents and friends of Scully expressed their grief on social media as the news spread. A Twitter user named Di M. responded to Claybourn's message and said Scully's death was "a tremendous loss for everyone," adding that he was "just the BEST!!"

On Facebook, Stacey Hankins-Burdash said he "was a tremendous asset and mentor" to Sterling students and "will be missed by every student and parent that were lucky enough to have known him."

Hankins-Burdash and Chrissy Nicole Stanczyk said Scully was like a father to many of the girls on the team.

"It feels like a bad dream," wrote Stanczyk, sharing photos of the coach with his players.

The Collingswood High School volleyball team posted a message of sympathy to the Sterling volleyball teams, and added "his family, friends, colleagues and players are in our thoughts and prayers."

The collision was reported at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday at mile marker 39.2, according to state police.

The driver of the Altima, a 19-year-old man from Sicklerville, had minor injuries from the crash. State police are continuing to investigate, and no charges have been filed at this time.