The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability released on April 1 the identities of the person who died and the police officer involved in a fatal vehicle crash that took place on March 20 in the Marlton section of Evesham Township, Burlington County. The civilian who died has been identified as Joseph J. Meadowcroft, age 22, of Evesham.
According to officials, this update is part of ongoing efforts to maintain transparency during investigations involving law enforcement encounters resulting in death. The release states that Officer Robert Haynes from the Evesham Township Police Department attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop involving a Ford Mustang driven by Meadowcroft early that morning.
Preliminary findings indicate that as Officer Haynes was attempting the stop, Meadowcroft’s Mustang collided with an uninvolved tractor-trailer near Route 73 and Lincoln Drive at approximately 4:38 a.m. The police vehicle was not involved in the collision itself. Meadowcroft suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, while the truck driver was uninjured.
The investigation remains ongoing with no further information available at this time. State law requires such incidents—where someone dies during an encounter with law enforcement or while in custody—to be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and presented to a grand jury for review regarding possible indictment of officers involved.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin aims to protect residents’ lives and property, uphold legal standards, and deliver statewide enforcement and legal support according to its official website. The office extends its services throughout all counties and municipalities across New Jersey according to its official website.
The agency also influences public safety through law enforcement oversight across the state according to its official website, holds authority under statutory mandate for prosecution and regulation according to its official website, offers services such as victim advocacy and consumer protection initiatives according to its official website, and functions as a state agency focused on justice matters throughout New Jersey according to its official website.
