South Brunswick Mourns Local Man Killed In Hit And Run

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick community is mourning the untimely death of Cory Holsten, 25, who was killed in a hit and run Thursday, Aug. 8.

Holsten was hit while he was on his motorcycle while driving on Cranbury Road at Davidson's Mill Road. He was hit by a 2004 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Peter Prete, 57, of Jamesburg, at about 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, police said.

Prete fled the scene, but was later apprehended at his home in Jamesburg, South Brunswick police said. Thanks to outstanding police work, Prete was arrested within 24 hours. He has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash in the second degree in addition to various motor vehicle summonses.

Holsten was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was a 2012 graduate of South Brunswick High School, police said. Born in New Brunswick, Holsten lived in Spotswood and Linwood before moving to California. He then returned to New Jersey, residing in the Dayton section of South Brunswick since 2011, according to his obituary, provided by DeMarco funeral home.

Holsten worked as an electrician's assistant for Cougar Power & Electric in Piscataway.

Holsten's Instagram page showed a young man who loved spending time with his girlfriend.

"Cory loved going fast, a love inspired by his father at an early age. Whether it was horse racing or dirt racing, he loved being at the track," according to his obituary. "When he wasn't working hard, Cory loved spending time in the fields on the family farm with his dad, grandpa, grandma and girlfriend, Lisa. Cory lived life exactly how he wanted to, and spread positivity to everyone he met. He loved spending time with his girlfriend, whether it was going down to the beach or just hanging out at home. He loved his puggle, Daisy, and his Honda CBR-600 RR."

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday August 14 and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday August 15 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. 205 Rhode Hall Rd. Monroe Twp., NJ 08831, 732-521-0555. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Dayton Cemetery in Dayton.

For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Motorcycle Relief Project, www.motorelief.org.

The South Brunswick police department expressed their condolences for the death, and thanked various police agencies for making Prete's arrest.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the Holsten family and friends. I want to thank all the law enforcement agencies involved — East Brunswick Police Department, Jamesburg Police Department, Monroe Police Department, and the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office for all the efforts that led to this suspect's capture," said Police Chief Raymond Hayducka.

The investigation is continuing. Police are actively seeking information from any witnesses who may have knowledge regarding this fatal crash.

Did you witness this crash or know anything? Call Patrolman William Merkler of the South Brunswick Police Department at (732) 329-4646, or Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4328.

Initial Patch report: Victim ID'd, Arrest In Fatal Hit-And-Run In South Brunswick: Cops