2 Killed In Head-On South Jersey Crash on Christmas Day

Two people were killed in a head-on crash on Christmas Day in South Jersey, police said.

The accident at approximately 2:57 p.m., when the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to the Black Horse Pike, Route 322, in the area of milepost 38, in the west side of the township.

An investigation determined a 2010 Nissan Altima, driven by Lorri Thomas, 45, of Collingdale, Pa., was traveling eastbound and, for an unknown reason, crossed the centerline and crashed head-on into a westbound 2002 Acura TL, police said.

The Acura was driven by Carol Badgley, 52, of Seaville in Cape May County, police said. Thomas, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Badgely and her father, Robert Badgley, 85 of Seaville, who were wearing seatbelts, were transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Campus Trauma Unit for injuries sustained in the crash.

Robert Badgley ultimately succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Also assisting at the scene were the Collings Lakes Volunteer Fire Company, Weymouth Volunteer Fire Company, Laureldale Volunteer Fire Company, Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad, AtlantiCare Paramedics, AtlantiCare Medical helicopter, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the New Jersey State Office of the Medical Examiner.

Traffic was delayed in the area for several hours while the scene was investigated and cleared. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Township of Hamilton Police Department.

Patch photo