On-Duty Hamilton Township Police Officer Involved in Early Morning Motor Vehicle Crash

Photo Credit: Hamilton Township PD

On Friday April 25, 2014 at approximately 12:18 am, the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to Route 40 in the Mizpah section for a serious motor vehicle crash involving two motor vehicles. One of the vehicles involved a Township of Hamilton Police Officer on patrol. 

Investigation revealed that Officer James Longo was conducting traffic enforcement on State Highway 40 in the area of milepost 42. 

At approximately 12:18 am, a vehicle operated by David McAvaddy, age 41, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ was traveling eastbound on Route 40 and Officer Longo was traveling westbound. 

McAvaddy crossed over the center line and struck Officer Longo’s marked patrol vehicle. Ofc. Longo’s vehicle came to rest on the westbound shoulder facing east. 

McAvaddy’s vehicle continued to travel several hundred feet down Route 40 before coming to rest in the front yard of a residence. Ofc. Longo was transported by the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad to Atlantic City Medical Center (ACMC), AC Campus. 

McAvaddy was extricated from his vehicle and airlifted by New Jersey State Police medevac to ACMC, AC Campus Trauma Unit. 

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and neither driver sustained life threatening injuries. A section of Route 40 between Landis and Estelle Ave was shut down for approximately 3 hrs. 

Assisting at the scene were the Twp. of Hamilton Rescue, Mizpah and Mays Landing Fire Departments, AtlantiCare Paramedics, NJSP Buena Barracks and the NJSP medevac helicopter. Further investigation into the crash will be completed by Ofc. Wade Smith & Det. Frank Schalek.