State trooper dies in head-on crash on Route 55, 2nd driver identified

MILLVILLE - A 31-year-old New Jersey State Police trooper from the Port Norris Station and a 61-year-old Salem County man were killed Monday night in a head-on crash of their vehicles on Route 55, according to updated information from New Jersey State Police.

Trooper Frankie L. Williams, an Atlantic County resident who joined the force this year, was fatally injured around 7 p.m. Monday when a Toyota Corolla crossed the state highway's grass median, entered the northbound lanes, and struck his marked state police Crown Victoria head-on. The crash occurred near milepost 22.2 in southern Millville.

The state police on Tuesday afternoon disclosed the identity of the other driver as Lloyd Rudley of Elmer. Williams, ironically, had been dispatched to the area to investigate a complaint about a vehicle matching the description of Rudley's red Toyota. The accident remains under investigation.

"Rudley's car matched witness descriptions of a vehicle that was driving erratically in the area," state police posted on Facebook. "Trooper Williams was responding to the erratic driver complaint at the time of the crash. There are no additional details available at this time."

Based on property records, Rudley's residence actually is in Pittsgrove Township on Upper Neck Road. The same record shows an address on Conshocken Avenue in Philadelphia, Pa.

Williams was flown to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was pronounced dead.

John Redden, chief of the Millville Rescue Squad, said Tuesday that the trooper’s cruiser was turned over on the driver’s side when emergency personnel arrived. The red Toyota Corolla, was upright, he said.

Redden said heavy damage resulted in an “extremely complicated extrication” and a “stressful scene.”

Millville police and firefighters also responded to the scene.

Williams was a member of the 156th New Jersey State Police Class, which graduated Jan. 29, 2016. He had drawn public notice

in August when he rescued a dog left inside a hot car in Pilesgrove, Salem County.

According to a State Police Facebook account of what happened, Williams responded to a call that a toy poodle inside a Mercedes-Benz. One car window was open but only about an inch.

Williams "observed the dog lying on its side inside of a crate in obvious distress," said the account. The trooper used his baton to break a rear window, then took the dog to a shaded area where (he) poured water over the dog's body and gave it water to drink."

The dog was taken to a veterinary center in Woolwich in critical condition with severe heat stroke. The dog's condition later was upgraded to stable, and its owner was charged with animal abuse.

The state police post added: "He performed his duty more like a six-year veteran than a 6-month rookie."

Williams, before becoming a trooper, worked more than eight years at a Lowe's store while also going to Atlantic Cape Community College. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in spring 2012 from Rutgers University-Camden's program, attending classes at a Rutgers program offered at ACCC. Currently, he was pursuing a master's degree in criminal justice at Rutgers.

NJ state trooper breaks window to rescue dog

A LinkedIn page for Williams said the trooper's academic research was "predicated upon creating awareness for cyber-crime and contributing to public awareness in an effort to minimize cyber-crime victimization."

N.J. Senate President Steven Sweeney, D-West Deptford, said Williams' death "is a terrible reminder that state troopers and law enforcement officers who serve to protect us put their lives on the line every day."

Williams is the third trooper to lose his life in a South Jersey highway accident over the past year.

Trooper Eli McCarson, a 30-year-old rookie from Washington Township,  died Dec. 17, 2015, when his patrol car hit a pole off a highway in Quinton, Salem County. Trooper Sean Cullen, 31, died March 8 after he was struck by a vehicle at the scene of an accident on Interstate 295 in West Deptford.

The Bridgeton Police Department offered its support on Facebook Monday night, posting, "Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters of the New Jersey State Police."

New Jersey State PBA President Patrick Colligan also released a statement on Twitter Monday night. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the @NJSP tonight on their loss. Please pray for the family and friends of the trooper," the statement read.

Millville Mayor Michael Santiago, a retired police officer and member of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, sent out condolence Tuesday morning on behalf of the city.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of New Jersey State Policed Trooper Frankie Williams and the entire NJSP family," Santiago said. "The city of Millville joins the rest of the state in mourning this tragic loss."

N.J. General Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto also offered condolences.

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“I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Trooper Frankie Williams,” Prieto said Tuesday. “Trooper Williams was an example of the best New Jersey and the State Police have to offer – an upstanding young man who worked tirelessly to achieve his goal of serving the public.

"His tragic death is a reminder of the varied dangers faced daily by those who devote their lives to protecting the rest of us, Prieto added. “We must always remember their service. We cannot forget their courage. On behalf of the New Jersey General Assembly, I send my prayers, thoughts and condolences to Trooper Williams’ family at this difficult time. His loss will be mourned.”

“My heart goes out to the family of state Trooper Frankie Williams and New Jersey’s entire law enforcement community in mourning during this difficult time,” U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez said. “Although Trooper Williams only recently joined the force, his loss is being felt statewide, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten.  His bravery and selfless actions undoubtedly saved the lives of those he swore to protect.

“Sadly, this tragedy reminds us all of the risks our men and women in blue face each and every day to protect us,” Menendez said. “They go to work not knowing what dangers they may encounter and face the reality that they may not return to their families at night. They deserve our appreciation and gratitude all of the time.”

LETTER: State Police offered compassion on scary night

“This is a sad day for the state of New Jersey,” state Sen. Jeff Van Drew said. “Trooper Williams was a recent graduate of the police academy who made a selfless commitment to serve the residents of this state. His passing is a heartbreaking loss and a reminder of the very real risks that all those in uniform face on the job. It also reminds us of the incredible sacrifice made by the families of those who dedicate their lives to serving in law enforcement.

“On behalf of myself and my legislative colleagues, Assemblymen Bruce Land and Bob Andrzejczak, I offer my sincere condolences to his family members, friends and to his law enforcement colleagues during this very difficult time,” Van Drew said.