Tragic Accident in Mays Landing Results in Couple’s Death
A couple lost their lives in a head-on collision with a stolen vehicle early Saturday morning in Mays Landing, New Jersey. In connection with this incident, three teenagers and one 18-year-old have been charged with several offenses.
The victims, Robert Barr Jr., aged 54, and 67-year-old Alice Stilwell, were from Egg Harbor Township, according to reports.
The suspects face charges that include conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, joyriding, evading law enforcement, and possession of a stolen vehicle. One of the suspects is identified as Nayshaun Brown, an 18-year-old from Atlantic City.
The vehicle involved was a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G Wagon, with an estimated worth of $220,000.
Reports from NBC Philadelphia showed Brown in an orange jumpsuit while discussing a worrying trend in the area where luxury vehicles are frequently targeted.
Longport Police Chief Ray Burgan expressed his sorrow, stating, “It’s terribly heartbreaking. Two innocent people were killed, senselessly.” He added insights on the local problem of vehicle thefts, noting that, “In this town, 100 percent of the time, key fobs are being left in the cars, unsecured.”
It’s still not clear who was driving the stolen vehicle at the time of the accident. Officials mentioned that the car had been spotted earlier in Longport, where an officer attempted to stop it, but the driver fled.
Authorities later discovered that the vehicle’s owner was unaware it had been taken. Longport police informed other agencies about the situation.
Shortly before 8:00 a.m., Hamilton Township police located the stolen car alongside a Land Rover. Both drivers fled as officers pursued them; however, they lost sight of the Mercedes.
According to NJ.com, “Six minutes later, driving south on the wrong side of Route 50 in Mays Landing, it struck Barr and Stilwell’s vehicle head-on near Third Street, sending the couple’s vehicle caroming into a gas station.”
Footage of the collision showed the vehicles crashing, spinning, and then sliding across the road until the couple’s car collided with the gas station.
Reports indicated that the suspects inside the stolen vehicle were seen exiting and attempting to flee the scene before being caught.
As of Tuesday morning, a GoFundMe page established for Stilwell had garnered over $11,000. The page described the deep grief of the family, emphasizing the shock of their sudden loss and the challenges faced by her daughters in honoring their mother during such a painful time.
