An 18-year-old man, who recently moved into the township from Florence, was killed in a single car crash on Friendship Road on June 6.
By Jen Samuel and Charles W. Kim, Packet Media Group
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — An 18-year-old man, who recently moved into the township from Florence, was killed in a single car crash on Friendship Road on June 6.
Sgt. Jim Ryan said Jeffrey Baggott, 18, was killed instantly and was pronounced dead in a field off the road. He was born July 9, 1994.
”It is with great sadness that I confirm that Jeff was a senior at our high school last year,” said Principal John Cogan of Florence Township Memorial High School. “His death can be best described as tragic. Jeff was friends with many students at FTMHS, many of whom still attend our school. He will be dearly missed.”
Florence Mayor Craig Wilkie said, “The loss of life is always a tragedy — especially when they are so young. Our sympathy goes out to his family and friends.”
”There are a lot of kids who care about him tremendously,” Principal Cogan said Wednesday.
Approximately 73 students sought counseling services at the high school Friday upon learning the news of Mr. Baggott’s death.
”They were very broken up about it,” Principal Cogan said, adding he was grateful the school had the resources to assist them.
Burlington County School Crisis Response Team counselors arrived at the Florence high school June 7.
”They were able to come over right away,” the principal said.
According to police, Mr. Baggott, who moved to South Brunswick in May, was a passenger in a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder driven by his friend, Christopher Brownback, 20, of Florence, last Thursday.
Mr. Brownback graduated from Florence in 2009.
At about 3:20 p.m., Mr. Brownback failed to negotiate a curve on Friendship Road and lost control of the vehicle, police said.
Sgt. Ryan said the vehicle slid sideways, partially ejecting Mr. Baggott, who was not wearing a seatbelt.
The vehicle and Mr. Baggott then struck a utility pole guide wire, fully ejecting him into the field, according to police.
Police responded to the cornfield about a quarter-mile east of Broadway Road and found Mr. Baggott deceased and Mr. Brownback distraught, but otherwise uninjured, according to police.
Sgt. Ryan said speed appears to be a factor in the accident, and charges against Mr. Brownback are likely to be filed.
The investigation into the crash is continuing.
The Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office and South Brunswick EMS responded to the scene.
Police said the crash closed Friendship Road from New Road to Broadway Road for two hours.
A viewing was held in Mr. Baggott’s honor last night with members of the Florence community, including Principal Cogan and the high school marching band, in attendance at Koschek and Porter Funeral Home. His funeral will be held privately.
A musician, Mr. Baggott had been a member of the marching band as well as the school’s jazz band.
”He played a number of instruments,” Principal Cogan said.
Mr. Baggott was born in Abington, Pennsylvania, and had been a lifelong resident of Florence Township prior to moving to South Brunswick.
According to his obituary, he played the electric guitar and several additional instruments, including the trumpet.
As a child, he played baseball for the Florence Township Little League. Some of Mr. Baggott’s most enjoyable times involved music, auto mechanics, trucks and four-wheeling.
His obituary said Mr. Baggott would be fondly remembered as an animal lover.
Mr. Baggott is survived by his mother and stepfather, Anastasia “Stasie” and Steven Haines; his grandparents and great grandparents; many aunts, uncles, cousins; and his biological father.
”We’re all mourning this loss and our heart and our most sincere condolences go out to Jeff’s family,” Principal Cogan said.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Florence Township Memorial High School music department, 1050 Cedar Lane, Florence, New Jersey, 08518.
Condolences may be sent to www.koschekandporterfuneralhome.com.