Woman Struck, Killed By Driver Who Ended Up In Delaware Bay: Officials

Ocean City NJ

31 May, 2022

10:31 AM

Description

LOWER TWP, NJ — A woman died after being struck by an out-of-control driver who then plunged into the Delaware Bay, the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said. Donna Buhner, 75, from the Erma section of Lower Township, died from her injuries after being hit in the North Cape May section of Lower Township Sunday evening. The driver, 56-year-old James Swayne of Somerset, was treated for his injuries at Cape Regional Medical Center. The incident happened at about 7:38 p.m., Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Kevin Lewis of the Lower Township Police Department said in a joint statement. Sutherland and Lewis said that a 2015 Hyundai Elantra in the area of Lincoln Boulevard and Beach Drive struck another vehicle and then Buhner, who was sitting on a bench. The car then went into the water, officials said. Buhner was airlifted by MEDEVAC helicopter to Cooper Trauma Center, where she died from her injuries, officials said. Initial reports from witnesses said that Swayne may have suffered a medical episode right before the crash, Sutherland and Lewis said. This investigation is being conducted by the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Fatal Crash Investigation Unit and members of the Lower Township Police Department. The full circumstances around the crash are under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time, Sutherland said.