NJ Corrections Officer From Mercer Killed In East Brunswick Crash

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — A 29-year-old New Jersey Corrections Officer was killed in a crash involving several vehicles on NJ Turnpike in East Brunswick on May 27, New Jersey State Police said.

The crash occurred around 10:17 p.m. on the NJ Turnpike southbound in East Brunswick.

Tyler Ford, 29, of Hamilton was driving a Suzuki GSX-R600 motorcycle directly behind a BMW. The BMW encountered a three-car crash on its path and came to a stop in the left lane, police said.

Ford was thrown off his bike when it stuck the car that had stopped behind the crash, police said. His bike then went on to strike the BMW and another car that was involved in the crash. Ford was pronounced dead at the scene, NJSP said.

Ford started his career in the NJ Department of Corrections (NJDOC) in 2014 as an officer at Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility before transferring to New Jersey State Prison, the NJDOC said.

“Our hearts are broken at the loss of this valuable member of the NJDOC and Edna Mahan Correctional Facility family. Sgt. Ford has been with the NJDOC since 2014.

We honor his memory, and our thoughts are with Sgt. Ford's family, his colleagues, and all who loved him,” the NJDOC said in a statement.

Ford comes from a family who worked at the NJDOC. His grandfather retired from the Department as a Lieutenant at New Jersey State Prison. His father also retired as an Officer from New Jersey State Prison, and his mother recently retired from NJDOC with 36 years of service, the department said.

“Sergeant Ford knew from a young age that someday he would like to work for the Department too,” the NJDOC said.

“At 20 years old, he had the opportunity to attend the academy and start his career with the NJDOC and fulfill his family legacy.”

On May 27, the left and center lanes of the southbound outer roadway were closed for approximately three hours. The crash remains under investigation, NJSP said.

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