A couple, identified as Alice Stilwell, 67, and Robert Barr Jr., 54, were killed Saturday in Mays Landing, New Jersey, when their sedan was struck head-on by a stolen Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. Police allege the SUV was occupied by four teenagers who were attempting to evade law enforcement.
Surveillance footage of the incident appears to show the G-Wagon crossing the center line on Route 50 before colliding with the couple's vehicle. Officers had reportedly spotted the G-Wagon shortly before the crash. According to charging documents, Longport police attempted to stop the vehicle around 3:45 a.m., but the driver fled. Later, Hamilton Township police observed the SUV, which had been determined to be stolen, and also attempted a traffic stop, which the driver evaded. Moments after the second attempted stop, officers were dispatched to the crash scene.
After the collision, footage indicated that at least one of the suspects attempted to flee the scene on foot. All four occupants of the G-Wagon were apprehended; they reportedly sustained no injuries. Nayshaun Brown, 18, has been charged as an adult with aggravated assault and conspiracy counts including joyriding, eluding police, and receiving a stolen motor vehicle. He also faces a first-degree charge of employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime. Three juveniles have also been charged with similar offenses. Brown, who turned 18 in May, has prior adult criminal cases in Atlantic County.
Stilwell was a hairdresser, and Barr was a bus driver for the Egg Harbor Township School District. The district's Superintendent, Dr. Kimberly Gruccio, issued a statement describing Barr as a "dedicated member of our transportation team" known for his "commitment to safety and his care for students."
A GoFundMe page has been established to support Stilwell's family, with a statement noting the "unimaginable tragedy" and the "shock" of the sudden loss.
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, specifically whether police were actively pursuing the G-Wagon at the time of the collision. Decisions regarding the juvenile suspects' custody are pending, with one having been released and another ordered held. The status of the third juvenile remains under review.