Voorhees Township Multi-Vehicle Crash: Police Pursuit Leads to Serious Injuries at Major Intersection

In a devastating incident that occurred on August 31, 2024, three young people suffered serious injuries in a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Haddonfield-Berlin Road and White Horse Road in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. The collision happened when a stolen vehicle driven by Rhafik Ghazal of Cherry Hill allegedly ran a red light while fleeing from police, resulting in a four-vehicle crash. Among those seriously injured were siblings Jibril and Nadia Rouag, ages 21 and 18 respectively, and their 18-year-old cousin Zachary MacBride, who was driving a blue Honda Civic. While Zachary and Jibril required immediate surgery for their injuries, Nadia remains hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury. The incident began when a Voorhees police officer attempted to make a felony motor vehicle stop after the suspect vehicle nearly struck a marked police car.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of Haddonfield-Berlin Road and White Horse Road is a major crossing point in Voorhees Township, characterized by multiple lanes and traffic signals controlling heavy local and commuter traffic. This crucial junction serves as a connector between residential areas and commercial districts, experiencing significant traffic volume throughout the day. The intersection's design includes standard traffic control signals and turn lanes, typical of major suburban arterial roadways in Camden County. Its proximity to shopping centers and residential developments makes it a heavily traveled route, particularly during peak hours and weekends.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under New Jersey law, victims of motor vehicle accidents have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. The state follows a modified comparative negligence system, which can affect compensation based on the degree of fault assigned to each party. In cases involving police pursuits, New Jersey Attorney General guidelines strictly regulate when pursuits are permissible, including situations involving stolen vehicles. However, these pursuits must be balanced against public safety concerns. Victims may be entitled to compensation through multiple channels, including the at-fault driver's insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and potential claims against governmental entities, subject to the New Jersey Tort Claims Act's notice requirements and limitations.

Related Resources:

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• Voorhees Township Police Department: https://www.vtpd.com/
• Camden County Prosecutor's Office: https://www.camdencounty.com/service/public-safety/prosecutors-office/
• Cooper University Hospital Trauma Center: https://www.cooperhealth.org/services/trauma-center
• New Jersey Brain Injury Alliance: https://www.bianj.org/
• New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety: https://www.njoag.gov/programs/highway-traffic-safety/
• New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/
• New Jersey Office of the Attorney General: https://www.njoag.gov/