Man Dies After Car Plunges Into Water Near Mall In Lawrence

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — A 22-year-old West Windsor man was killed late Thursday night after his vehicle left the road and became submerged in a body of water near the Quakerbridge Mall, police said.

Officers from the Lawrence Township Police Department responded around 11:07 p.m. Thursday to the area of Brunswick Pike northbound at the Kelly Viaduct, near the mall entrance at 3320 Brunswick Pike, after a witness reported hearing a crash and spotted a dark-colored vehicle in the water, police said.

Officers found the vehicle had left the roadway and was submerged, with no indication the driver or any occupants had exited. The Lawrence Township Fire Department, Lawrence Township Emergency Medical Services and the Trenton Fire Department's Water Rescue Team responded to assist. Water rescue personnel entered the water and found the vehicle's sole occupant, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was identified as Rickey Boone Jr., 22, of West Windsor. According to preliminary investigation Boone was driving a 2012 Honda CR-V northbound on Brunswick Pike when he lost control, left the roadway and entered the water. No other vehicles were involved.

Boone was a former basketball player at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, where he played during the 2021-22 season, and later played as a guard/forward for Mercer County Community College's men's basketball team during the 2022-23 academic year, according to the college's athletics roster.

Mercer County Community College remembered Boone in a statement released following his death.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rickey Boone, just 22 years old," the college said. "Rickey was a key member of the 2022-2023 roster, a roster that helped turn our program around from the previous 2-24 season. The impact he made in his short time will never fade."

The college described Boone as a positive presence among those who knew him. "Those who had the honor of meeting Rickey all would agree he was a beam of light who carried positivity with him everywhere," the statement read.

"He was one of the kindest souls who will be missed deeply. The Mercer family sends our condolences to Rickey's family and loved ones."

The incident remains under investigation by the Lawrence Township Police Department in coordination with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Serious Collision Response Team.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dean Sawasky at 609-844-7125 or dsawasky@lawrencetwp.com.

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