Updated June 11, 2024, 5:55 p.m. ET
Authorities have identified Franklin Borough Police Sgt. William Grissom as the officer involved in a fatal crash on Memorial Day that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Deanna D'Arco of Vernon.
The incident occurred around 10:40 a.m. on May 27 at the intersection of State Route 23 and Walsh Street, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. D'Arco was a passenger in another vehicle that collided with Grissom's marked patrol car. She was transported to Morristown Medical Center but died on May 29.
Investigations are ongoing, and officials have not released details on how the crash occurred or whether Grissom's lights were activated. Both Grissom and the driver of the other vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Grissom, a 2001 graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School, was promoted to sergeant on January 1, 2019. He has been a member of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System since 2006, with an annual salary of approximately $111,000 as of 2021.
Initial hesitance to disclose D'Arco's identity was overcome by family members who shared the news on social media. A GoFundMe campaign for her family raised nearly $27,000 as of Tuesday morning. D'Arco was a teacher's assistant at Little Learners Academy in Jefferson.
A 2019 law mandates that the state Attorney General's Office investigate any deaths involving law enforcement. Findings will be reviewed by a state grand jury to determine if charges are warranted.
Video from the scene showed significant damage to both vehicles involved, resulting in serious traffic disruptions on the highway.