New details released on fatal Mays Landing, NJ crash involving stolen car
The victims were identified as 67-year-old Alice Stilwell and her longtime partner, 54-year-old Robert Barr Jr.
MAYS LANDING, N.J. (WPVI) -- A memorial now stands at the corner of Route 50 and Third Street in Mays Landing, New Jersey, where a head-on crash Saturday morning killed two people and led to charges against four occupants of a stolen vehicle.
Surveillance video captured the moment a stolen Mercedes G-Wagon crossed the center line on Route 50 and collided head-on with a sedan, sending the car careening into a gas station on the corner.
The victims were identified as 67-year-old Alice Stilwell and her longtime partner, 54-year-old Robert Barr Jr. Both died in the crash.
Action News has learned police in two New Jersey municipalities, about 14 miles apart, had attempted to stop the stolen vehicle before the collision occurred.
READ MORE | 3 juveniles, 1 adult charged in deadly crash involving stolen vehicle in Hamilton Township
According to charging documents, Longport police attempted to stop the Mercedes at about 3:45 a.m. Saturday, but the driver fled. After contacting the vehicle's owners and determining it had been stolen, Longport police alerted law enforcement agencies throughout Atlantic County.
At about 7:45 a.m., Hamilton Township police spotted the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop but lost sight of it when the driver failed to stop. Minutes later, officers responded to the crash scene.
Surveillance footage showed people inside the stolen vehicle getting out and attempting to run away after the crash, but they were quickly apprehended.
Four people were charged in connection with the incident, including 18-year-old Nayshaun Brown and three juveniles.
Action News also learned that Brown had recently been charged with occupying a stolen vehicle on July 27 in Atlantic City.
The crash has shaken residents of the Mays Landing community.
"I was in shock," said Michael Cartier of Estell Manor. "Just the situation, especially a small little town like this, an accident like that is hard. It's hard."
"In this case, you get calls from the neighbors immediately: 'Danny, guess what happened, some guy stole a car.' It's amazing how it travels. Sadly, the people got hit, they suffer and these kids, it's just horrible," said Danny Lopriore of Mays Landing.
Camille Sanchirico, who lives near the crash scene, said the tragedy has had a lasting impact on her.
"I came out and saw everything, and I keep thinking about it every day. It makes me sick; I couldn't even eat. I get sick to my stomach," Sanchirico said. "I go out that time every day to a client I go to. That impacts me thinking, that could've been me, that could've been my kids coming to visit me."
Family and community members are mourning Stilwell and Barr, who lived in Egg Harbor Township and both leave behind children. A GoFundMe was posted for Stilwell's daughters. Stilwell was a hairdresser, and Barr worked as a bus driver for the Egg Harbor Township School District.
"Mr. Barr was a dedicated member of our transportation team. He's known for his commitment to safety and the care for students, and this is certainly an unnecessary tragedy, and a loss of a dedicated employee and awesome person," Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Gruccio said in a statement.
The most serious charge currently facing Brown and the three juveniles is conspiracy to commit second-degree aggravated assault. Prosecutors said the charges could be upgraded as the investigation continues.
Brown is expected to face a judge on Thursday.
