Kendall Park Resident Killed In Rt.1 Crash Identified

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — West Windsor Police on Tuesday identified the victim killed in the crash on Route.1, on Jan. 2.

Dylan Gleason, 21, was driving a 2017 Toyota Corolla when he struck a dump truck traveling westbound on Harrison Street jughandle.

Gleason was a senior at Muhlenberg College Pennsylvania, where he was a theatre major. According to a statement from the Muhlenberg College Chaplain’s Office, Gleason was admitted to Muhlenberg through early decision.

“His friends and family describe Dylan as a courageous, loving, resilient, talented, passionate and compassionate man who fiercely protected people, especially those who experienced injustices. Dylan Gleason chose Muhlenberg after his very first visit. He was admitted through early decision, and his parents say he deeply loved the whole Muhlenberg community,” Rev Claire Burkat, Interim Chaplain, said in a statement.

At Muhlenberg, Gleason was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. His fraternity brothers started a GoFundMe for Gleason's family.

“As a Delt, Dylan went out of his way to make everyone feel loved and welcomed. He upheld Delt values to their highest extent, and was the embodiment of “Truth, Courage, Faith and Power”. He was committed to a life of excellence, and succeeded on every front,” the page said.

According to the Muhlenberg chaplain’s statement, Gleason loved all aspects of Theatre Art and Production. “He was skilled in stage management and lighting, and gifted in song, voice and acting. Dylan was involved in many Muhlenberg groups including, Delta Tau Delta, The Great American Songbook choral ensemble, and other performance ensembles and choir groups.”

On Facebook, Villagers Theatre, a theatre production company in Franklin Park, mourned the loss of Gleason who was part of their teen ensemble.

“From a young age, Dylan participated in the Summer Theatre Arts Program and later became an integral part of the Villagers Teen Ensemble. A young man with an incredible talent and dedication to every show he was a part of,” they said in a statement.

Gleason was visiting his family for the holidays when on Jan. 2 his Toyota Corolla struck a dump truck on Harrison Street, West Windsor.

According to the police, Gleason was traveling northbound on Route.1 and was approaching the Harrison Street intersection. A 22-year-old Princeton resident was driving a 2005 international dump truck, traveling westbound on Harrison Street jughandle, planning to continue on Harrison Street.

The traffic signal was red for Route. 1 traffic and green for the Harrison street jughandle, when Gleason struck the dump truck, causing it to overturn, said police.

Both vehicles landed on the intersection of Route. 1, with the dump truck resting on the passenger side.

When police reached the scene, they found the driver of the Toyota Corolla entrapped in the wreckage. Gleason was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gleason is survived by his parents, Ken and Abby Gleason, his siblings Seth and Anna.

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