Weather Caused Fatal Accident In South Jersey: Police

MANTUA TOWNSHIP, NJ - Slippery road conditions appear to have played a role in a fatal accident in South Jersey Thursday night. Dr. Michael Robinson, 52 of Mullica Hill, was pronounced dead on the scene following a two-car crash in Mantua Township Thursday night, police said.

Robinson was driving a 2009 Nissan Altima off Spruce Street and onto Lambs Road when he was struck by a 1999 Ford F250 at about 6 p.m., police said. The impact of the crash sent the Altima onto the front lawn of a home.

Robinson was killed, and the driver of the other car was uninjured. Police believe road conditions were a contributing factor in the crash.
Pitman Police, Harrison Twp Police, Mantua Twp Fire Dept, Pitman Fire Dept, Gloucester County EMS and Inspira Paramedics all assisted on scene. The crash is being investigated by Ptl. Hauss and Ptl. Lipsett of the Mantua Twp PD Crash Investigation Unit.

The following are tips for driving in winter weather:

Don't slam on your brakes. If you're sliding on a patch of ice, hitting the brakes harder won't stop you. Experts advise that you go against your natural tendencies and turn into the skid. You also need to accelerate. Learn more about how to safely brake in snow and how to exit a skid here.

Slow down. Driving too quickly for the conditions is the biggest cause of snow crashes, according to Edmunds.com.

Leave room. It can take a driver twice as long (and twice as much space) to stop a vehicle when driving in snow versus driving on dry pavement. You should leave twice as much room as you normally would between you and other vehicles on the road.

Or, don't drive. If you can avoid driving in when roads are covered in snow or ice, that's probably your safest bet. Walk when it is safe to do so.

Have an emergency kit and good supplies. In the winter months, AAA recommends that you keep the following items in your vehicle:

• A bag of abrasive material like sand, salt or kitty litter to sprinkle under your tires if you get stuck.
• A small snow shovel.
• An ice scraper.
• Windshield washer fluid.
• Jumper cables.
• Extra-warm items like blankets, hats and gloves.
• Water and snack food.
• First-aid kit.

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