The family of a man killed in an early morning crash on Route 22 in Springfield identified the 8-year-veteran as a member of the Irvington Police Department.
According to initial reports from the scene, just before 3 a.m., police and rescue crews rushed to the westbound side of Route 22 near Rt. 577 for a report of a crash with serious injuries.
Arriving first responders and rescue crews located the male victim -who was identified as Tawine Kirkland- critically injured.
Kirkland was later pronounced dead according to family members.
Police closed all westbound lanes for several hours as they conducted the crash investigation.
According to family, Kirkland loved his job as a police officer and was also actively engaged in acting, a radio show host, poet, and an entertainer.
Kirkland was loved by his family, friends, and co-workers.
He was survived by his wife and two children according.