Cop, Woman Hospitalized After 3-Car NJ Highway Crash In Hamilton

A New Jersey police officer was seriously injured late Wednesday after his car slammed into the back of his police cruiser, police said.

Hamilton Township Police Officer Keone Osby, a former Long Branch officer, sustained a serious injury and was hospitalized at AtlantiCare Mainland in Galloway Township.

The crash happened at approximately 4:09 p.m., when Osby was stopped in traffic in his patrol vehicle on Route 40 eastbound, in the area of mile post 50.5, police said.

While stopped in traffic, Osby was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Victoria Branca, 43, of Egg Harbor Township. The collision caused Osby’s vehicle to strike the vehicle in front of him, which was also stopped in traffic.

That vehicle was occupied by Megan Valentin, 33, of Vineland, and two juvenile passengers.

Branca also sustained a serious injury and was transported to Shore Medical in Somers Point. . The third vehicle, driven by Valentin, sustained minor damage to the rear bumper and no injuries were reported to any of the occupants. The crash is being investigated by Sgt. Graczyk.

Assisting with the crash was the Township of Hamilton Rescue and AtlantiCare Paramedics.

Osby was a former special officer in Long Branch and a graduate of Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls, according to LinkedIn. He atended Monmouth University, where he played football. He also was a wrestler.

Hamilton police photo