NJ state fraud watchdog killed by crash on Route 130

🚨The driver of a Honda Accord ran a red light

🚨New Jersey State Commission of Investigation director was killed

🚨Lackey's passenger was hospitalized

HAMILTON (Mercer) — A car on Route 130 ran a red light and hit an SUV turning into an intersection whose driver, a high-ranking state official, was killed, according to police.

Hamilton police said a Honda Accord, driven by a 51-year-old Bordentown woman, was headed south when it struck a Ford Edge driven by New Jersey State Commission of Investigation Executive Director Chadd W. Lackey.

Both drivers were taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, where Lackey was pronounced dead.

The agency, whose mission is to "investigate waste, fraud and abuse of government tax dollars,"  issued a scathing report on the state's COVID-19 response at veterans homes in October.

“We are devastated by the tragic news of Chadd’s death,” said SCI Chair Tiffany Williams Brewer in a statement. “On behalf of my fellow Commissioners and the entire SCI staff, we extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the Lackey family and his loved ones. Our SCI family, the NJ Bar and the law enforcement community have suffered a great loss today as we embark upon a time of healing and reflection on Chadd’s legacy.”

The passenger in Lackey's vehicle, a 44-year-old Hamilton woman, was listed in critical condition Wednesday afternoon. The identities of the passenger and the driver of the Accord were not disclosed by Hamilton police.

The crash closed both directions of Route 130 near the Hamilton Marketplace shopping center for several hours during the Wednesday morning commute.

Police asked any witnesses to the crash to contact the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit at (609) 581-4000.

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Lackey became executive director in 2020 and was the agency's first Black executive director. He had previously served as the agency’s deputy director and general counsel. He lived in Voorhees and was a graduate of Temple University.

Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement Wednesday night he is “saddened” by Lackey's death and said he took on organized crime, opioid abuse, corruption, and countless other issues as executive director.

“There is no doubt New Jersey is a safer and more just place because of him,” Murphy said.

No charges have been filed in the crash which remains under investigation by Hamilton police.

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