Cherry Hill East School Officer Struck by Vehicle While Directing Traffic

The victim, a 56-year-old retired Cherry Hill Police officer, sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

By Matt Skoufalos | January 12, 2024

Intersection of Kresson Road and Oakley Drive in Cherry Hill. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.

A Cherry Hill High School East campus officer was struck by a driver while directing traffic at school drop-off Friday morning, and sustained serious injuries.

First responders were dispatched to the scene of Kresson Road and Oakley Drive at 7:14 a.m. for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

The victim, a 58-year-old retired Cherry Hill Police officer, struck the windshield of a sedan, and was transported to the trauma center at Cooper Hospital in Camden City with head injuries.

Cherry Hill Police Chief Robert Kempf said the officer maintained consciousness throughout the incident. His injuries are serious, including fractures, but are not believed to be life-threatening, the chief said.

Kempf also noted that the driver who struck the officer remained at the scene. Speed is not believed to have been a factor in this case, but the investigation remains ongoing.

“This is a person with a long history of public service,” he said. “You hate to see it.”

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The area is challenging to negotiate for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the high volume of vehicle traffic on Kresson Road, also known as County Road 671.

There, vehicle speeds approach or exceed 40 miles per hour, and the amount of pedestrian traffic associated with pick-up and drop-off at the high school is significant. Moreover, oncoming traffic can deal with intense roadway glare during the morning commute.

The area where the officer was struck Friday is also near where cyclist Andrea Gonzalez lost her life leading a group bike ride in late 2023.

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