By: Richard L. Smith
A 22-year-old Burlington County man has been identified following a fatal early morning crash in Evesham Township that occurred during an attempted police stop, according to information released by the New Jersey Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
Authorities said Joseph J. Meadowcroft, 22, of Evesham, died after the vehicle he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer in the Marlton section of the township.
Preliminary findings indicate that an Evesham Township police officer, identified as Robert Haynes, was operating a marked patrol vehicle and attempted to stop Meadowcroft’s Ford Mustang in the early morning hours of March 20.
During that time, Meadowcroft continued driving before his vehicle struck an uninvolved tractor-trailer near the intersection of Route 73 and Lincoln Drive at approximately 4:38 a.m.
Officials said the police vehicle was not involved in the crash itself.
Meadowcroft sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details at this time.