High School Student Dies Crossing Dangerous South Jersey Highway

An 18-year-old high school student was killed this week while crossing a New Jersey highway that's considered one of the most dangerous roads in the state.

Angelica Volcy, 18, Bordentown, a junior at Bordentown Regional High School, was killed while crossing Route 130 on Monday, police said.

Crisis counselors were made available at the high school this week. "The student's loss is being felt deeply within our school and our community," Robert Walder, the principal, wrote to parents and students.

"I know that you share our deep sympathy and concern for the extended family attempting to process this tragic loss," Walder wrote. "We have asked our students and staff to look after one another as we deal with the loss of our student, classmate and friend."

The accident happened on Route 130 at the intersection with Crosswicks Road (County Route 528), police said. A nonprofit organization focusing on transportation once named Route 130 the worst road in the state for pedestrians.

Advocates working to make the highway safer say it’s especially hazardous for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Crashes along a single 25-mile segment of the mostly six-lane highway from the Airport Circle in Camden County to Farnsworth Avenue in Burlington County claimed 29 lives between 2009 and 2013.

More than half of those who died — 16 — were not mortally injured while driving or riding in vehicles, but while walking across or along the highway; another was riding a bicycle.

A preliminary investigation determined that a 2007 Infiniti G35 operated by Whitney Tigner, 35, of Woodbury was traveling southbound on Route 130 at approximately 10:15 pm when it collided with the pedestrian, police said.

Volcy was crossing the highway at the Crosswicks Road intersection and witnesses indicated that Tigner was proceeding through a green signal and had the right of way, police said.

As a result of the collision, Volcy sustained severe life threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at Helene Fuld Medical Center at 11:03 pm.

Township Police are investigating the cause of this collision and anyone who witnessed or who has information regarding this incident is requested to contact Ptl. Ryan Forster of the Traffic Safety Unit at 609-298-4300, ext. 2130.

Patch photo