Turnpike Hit-and-Run Claims Life of Manchester Fire Chief

A Manchester Township man who served as chief of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company was killed early Tuesday in a hit-and-run crash at a construction zone on the New Jersey Turnpike, officials said.

Brian Flanagan, 47, sustained fatal injuries at about 3:52 a.m. when a GMC SUV entered a construction zone at milepost 87.7 on the southbound outer roadway of the turnpike in Edison, according to Trooper Charles Marchan.

The work zone was properly marked, and two lanes were closed when Anthony Bernardi, 40, of Edison, drove into the area, Marchan said. Bernardi fled the scene following the crash, according to state police. He was later arrested and charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree vehicular homicide and second-degree leaving the scene of an accident involving fatal injuries, Marchan said.

Bernardi remains in custody at the Middlesex County jail as he awaits a detention hearing.