AG Releases Identities of Decedent and Officer in Evesham Fatal Vehicle Crash

AG: New Jersey News

Published April 1st, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office released the identities of Joseph J. Meadowcroft, 22, and Evesham Township Police Officer Robert Haynes in connection with a fatal vehicle crash on March 20, 2026. The crash occurred when Meadowcroft's Ford Mustang collided with a tractor-trailer near Route 73 and Lincoln Drive in Marlton while being pursued by Officer Haynes; the police vehicle was not involved in the collision. The investigation is ongoing and will be presented to a grand jury pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2).

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What changed

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability identified the decedent and police officer involved in a fatal March 20, 2026 crash in Evesham Township. Joseph J. Meadowcroft, 22, was driving a Ford Mustang that collided with an uninvolved tractor-trailer at approximately 4:38 a.m. while being approached for a motor vehicle stop by Officer Robert Haynes. Meadowcroft sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene; the truck driver was uninjured and the police vehicle was not part of the collision.

This release fulfills statutory requirements under N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), which mandates that the AG's Office investigate all deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement and present findings to a grand jury. The investigation remains ongoing with no further information currently available. No compliance actions are required of any regulated entities.

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UPDATE: AG’s Office Releases Identities of the Decedent and Evesham Township Police Officer Associated with Fatal Vehicle Crash in Evesham, N.J., on March 20, 2026

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2026

Office of The Attorney General
– Jennifer Davenport, Attorney General
Office of Public Integrity and Accountability
– Eric L. GIbson, Executive Director

For Further Information:

Media Inquiries-
Dan Prochilo
OAGpress@njoag.gov

TRENTON — The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability today identified the decedent and the police officer connected with a fatal crash that occurred March 20, 2026, in the Marlton section of Evesham Township, in Burlington County, New Jersey. The civilian who died in the collision has been identified as Joseph J. Meadowcroft, 22, of Evesham.

According to the preliminary investigation, Evesham Township Police Officer Robert Haynes, who was driving a marked police vehicle, attempted to perform a motor vehicle stop of a Ford Mustang, being driven by Mr. Meadowcroft, in the early morning hours of March 20. As he was driving, Mr. Meadowcroft’s Mustang collided with an uninvolved tractor-trailer near the intersection of Route 73 and Lincoln Drive in Evesham. The collision occurred at approximately 4:38 a.m.

Mr. Meadowcroft suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The police vehicle was not involved in the collision. The driver of the truck was uninjured.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2) requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.