THE GADFLY-In Memory of Larry Angel: Fatal Mullica Car Crash

MULLICA TOWNSHIP — Police say a crash that killed a Buena Vista Township man may have occurred overnight Sunday, but was not discovered until Monday morning.

Robert Ramos, 31, of the Newtonville section of Buena Vista, died in the crash, Mullica police Chief John Thompson said.

Mullica resident Frank DeJoseph told The Press of Atlantic City at the scene that the car went through his neighbor’s driveway and crashed into the river. DeJoseph said he did not know whether the driver was asleep or awake when it happened or whether the crash took place Sunday night or early Monday.

“The car cleared the river and hit the opposite bank of the river. You can still see the mark where it hit,” DeJoseph said. “I and my neighbors are not really sure what happened.”

Police, firefighters and AtlantiCare EMS were dispatched to the 4500 block of Pleasant Mills Road in the Sweetwater section at 7:08 a.m. for a report of a car in the river, police said.

Police said they don't know why the Honda Civic, which was heading north on Elwood Road, went through the stop-sign intersection at Pleasant Mills Road, through the yard of a home on the other side of Pleasant Mills and into the water. The river has a steep bank at that location, and heavy damage was visible to the car’s front end.

Members of the Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Company cold-water rescue team responded and were able to access the vehicle quickly, police said.

Ramos was in the car and was already deceased, police said.

Police say they don't know what caused the crash. They said the Honda Civic, which was headed north on Elwood Road, drove through the stop-sign intersection at Pleasant Mills Road, through the yard of a home on the other side of Pleasant Mills and into the water. The river has a steep bank at that location, and heavy damage was visible to the car’s front end.

It is possible the incident occurred overnight but was not discovered until the morning, police said in a statement issued Monday.

The cold-water rescue team and the State Police TEAMS Unit worked with a heavy tow recovery service to remove the occupant and the vehicle, police said.

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