Stockton Students React to News of Tuesday's Fatal Accident on Campus

One student is dead and another is injured following a single-car crash Tuesday night, Oct. 4 on the campus of the , the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday morning.

Joseph Miller, of Medford, was the passenger in a vehicle that struck a deer, followed by several trees, at about 9:30 Tuesday night, the Prosecutor's Office said. Miller, who would've been 22 today, died.

Notification of next of kin has been made, the Prosecutor's Office said.

Miller graduated from Holy Cross High School in 2008, and was majoring in Business Studies, according to his Facebook page.

Joao Simoes, 21, of Newark, was the driver. He was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus with non-life threatening injuries.

The Prosecutor's Office, campus police and the Galloway Township Police Department all responded to the scene of the crash. The Prosecutor's Office and township police are investigating the incident.

The Prosecutor's Office said there is no reason to believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.

The area in which the crash took place Tuesday night was clear Wednesday morning. The parking lots at the school were full and the campus was bustling with activity.

An announcement was made in Miller's classes on Wednesday, and the school is offering counseling for those who knew him, Stockton Dean of Business Janet M. Wagner said.

The Counseling Center will be open until 7 p.m., Tim Kelly, of the Office of Public Relations, said. It is normally open until 5. Those who wish to make an appointment or speak with a counselor can call 609-652-4722.

"That is for students, faculty and staff," Kelly said. " ... As an institution, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends. It was a tragic accident, and we feel terrible."

At this point, no memorials have been planned, according to Kelly.

Some students on campus had yet to hear the news Wednesday afternoon, but some had seen news reports or heard from other students about the accident.

"I was surprised," Stockton junior Nick Stewart, a Computer Sciences major, said when he heard the news.

Some commented on the need to be aware of deer both on campus and throughout the area.

"I've lived here my whole life, and deer can come out at any time," said Matt Kancy, a sophomore transfer student majoring in history. "I lived more in fear of an accident every day (at my other school) because it was close to New York City, a major metropolitan area. There's deer all over. That's what happens."

Kancy grew up in Linwood, 20 minutes from the college.

"A deer can jump out anywhere in New Jersey," freshman psychology major Katie Dentino, of Mickleton, Gloucester County, said. "Even if you go the speed limit, things can be bad. ... It's terrible."

"I always drive with my high beams on at night and tell people to buckle up," said sophomore Vincent Agnesio, a communications major. "I've had to stop three or four times. I always see deer along the side of the road out there."

Freshman communications major Alysa Buragina is from Woodstown in Salem County, and said there are a lot of deer in that area. She said she tends to stay away from the sides of the road to avoid hitting deer both at home and at school.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Sgt. Kevin Hincks of the Prosecutor's Office at 609-909-7667, or Corporal Kevin Bollinger of the Galloway Township Police Department at 609-652-3705.