Fatal Crash, Near Explosion, Deadly Shooting In South Jersey

A fatal crash and a deadly shooting happened within the same 24 hours in Atlantic City, authorities said. In the fatal crash, the victim died after he was moved away from a gas tank that was ready to explode.

The tragedies happened within 24 hours of a major Supreme Court ruling that's supposed to boost Atlantic City: the legalization of sports betting. Read more: Sports Betting Coming To States Thanks To Supreme Court NJ Ruling

The fatal shooting happened in Atlantic City on Monday night, just before 6 p.m., when authorities responded to 1149 Michigan Avenue, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.

There, they found an unidentified man who was found shot. He was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound, according to the ACPO.

The investigation is continuing in cooperation with the Atlantic City Police Department and no additional information is available at this time.

On Sunday, at 8:14 p.m., patrol officers, the Atlantic City Fire Department, and ambulance personnel responded to the 100 north block of Massachusetts Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and a parked vehicle.

Officer Justin Peyton arrived to find the driver of the motorcycle, Juan Cruz-Ortiz, 38, of Atlantic City had been ejected from his seat after striking a parked, unoccupied vehicle, police said.

The vehicle and the motorcycle were fully engulfed in flames and later extinguished by the fire department.

Because of a possible gas tank explosion, Peyton and a concerned citizen quickly moved Cruz-Ortiz to a safe location.

Cruz-Ortiz, who had sustained multiple traumatic injuries, was provided medical aid and transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division. He was pronounced dead shortly after 11 p.m.

The investigation is being led by Officer Eric Knuttel of the Accident Investigations Section.

Anyone with information about this accident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Accident Investigations Section at 609-347-5744 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD.

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