Community Mourns South Brunswick Resident Killed In Crash

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Colleagues and friends described Jodi Marcou as an “understanding” person who was a "true asset" to the community.

On Sunday, Marcou, 61, was killed following a head-on collision that took place after a teen driver had stolen a vehicle from Princeton, police said Monday.

Marcou was an employee at Rutgers University, where she worked as a Development Specialists. “Jodi was a beloved colleague,” the University said in a statement.

“Jodi joined the school in January of 2018 as a Development Specialist and was a true asset to the school adding great value to the school’s development operation. Jodi was highly regarded by colleagues, donors, and alumni.”

Marcou was a 1980 graduate of Rider University, with a degree in management and organizational behavior.

In South Brunswick, she was an active community member and a part of the South Brunswick Human Relations Commission (HRC). She was a member and Vice-Chair of the HRC for around a decade.

The crash that killed Marcou took place after police were called to the 100 block of Clover Lane in Princeton for the report of an attempted stolen vehicle. The victim told police that three people attempted to steal the vehicle, which was parked in the driveway of the home.

All three suspects had been traveling in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was seen traveling west on Clover Lane while police were investigating the report of the attempted stolen car, police said Monday. The Grand Cherokee was seen being followed by a Range Rover, which police said had just been reported stolen from a home on Dodds Lane.

Police began to chase both vehicles on Clover Lane before the Jeep Grand Cherokee traveled in a different direction. The Range Rover then picked up speed after the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over. However, police abandoned the chase on Snowden Lane due to the erratic driving pattern of the driver, police said.

At 1:09 p.m., officers were called to Princeton-Kingston Road near Carnegie Drive on report of a crash. Both the 15-year-old driver of the Jeep and Marcou were pronounced dead at the scene following the head-on collision, police said.

A prayer service for Marcou will be held at B’Nai Tikvah on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. (COVID-19 vaccine and mask required).

The service will be followed immediately by the burial at Washington Cemetery, 104 Deans Rhode Hall Rd, North Brunswick Township.

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