Full Notification

Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Raymond Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department announced that Franklin Hunter, 32, of Maryland, was charged in connection with the fatal crash that occurred on December 22, 2022, on Beekman Road in South Brunswick Township.

On December 22, 2022, at 4:26 P.M., authorities responded to Beekman Road following the report of a multi-vehicle crash. Upon their arrival, authorities determined that a stolen Dodge Charger was leaving the scene of an armed robbery of a jewelry store on Route 27 in Frankin Township. While fleeing, it crashed into three separate occupied vehicles on Beekman Road. A male passenger of the Dodge Charger, identified as Joshuah Matthews, 31, of Washington, D.C., was found deceased in the vehicle. At the same time, the other occupants of the Dodge fled the scene with the assistance of other involved parties. The Charger was determined to be stolen from Maryland. The occupants of the other vehicles were transported to local hospitals to receive treatment for their injuries.

The South Brunswick Police Department and Middlesex County Prosecutors Office conducted a collaborative investigation with the Franklin Township Police Department, the FBI, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The 13-month investigation determined that Hunter was the driver of the Dodge Charger that caused the crash and fled the scene.

On January 26, 2024, Hunter was charged with first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter, second-degree Vehicular Homicide, second-degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death, third-degree Causing Death While Driving Unlicensed, second-degree Aggravated Assault, and third-degree Receiving Stolen Property. He is currently being held in the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility on unrelated charges.

Chief Raymond Hayducka said, "The case was solved because of great teamwork between all the law enforcement involved. The investigation spanned multiple states and required extensive time." He added, "The two arrests this week in the fatal hit-n-run crashes show the determination of our investigators to track down those responsible. I appreciate all the hard work involved in making these arrests."

Instructions:

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/2022/12/23/south-brunswick-nj-driver-search-fled-fatal-accident/69754182007/