1 Dead, 6 Hurt in Multi-Vehicle Wreck on Atlantic City Expy on Hamilton Twp., NJ

Hamilton Township, NJ (June 22, 2026) – One man died, and six others were hurt on Saturday night, June 20, in a crash on the Atlantic City Expressway. The collision happened around 10:16 p.m. on the westbound side of the roadway near milepost 11.3, according to the New Jersey State Police. 

After the crash, Joseph J. Pagano, Jr., 34, of Manahawkin, crossed the westbound lanes on foot when a Nissan SUV struck him in the left lane.

After the Nissan hit Pagano, a Kia then struck the Nissan. Pagano died from his injuries. Three people in the Nissan and three people in the Kia were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Before the deadly crash, Pagano had been involved in an earlier three-car wreck in the same area while driving a Dodge pickup truck. No injuries were reported from that initial collision. 

After it occurred, Pagano pulled his truck to the right shoulder and got out before he later attempted to cross the westbound lanes on foot, which led to the fatal crash.

New Jersey State Police continue to investigate the incident. 

Our condolences go out to Pagano's family and loved ones, and we wish a full recovery to those injured.

What Evidence Should Families Preserve After a Fatal Crash in Hamilton Twp., NJ?

After a crash of this kind, families should try to get photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible road markings, which can matter more than people realize once the investigation moves forward.

Multi-vehicle crashes near milepost markers on stretches like the Atlantic City Expressway frequently involve overlapping fault questions, and physical evidence tends to disappear fast since vehicles get towed, debris gets cleared, and skid marks fade within days.

It can be helpful to keep medical records that document injuries, along with receipts for funeral costs and any income statements that show what the deceased earned, to help establish the financial impact a family is left to absorb. Witness names and contact information are equally valuable, since people who saw the sequence of events may not be easy to track down later if their statements aren't gathered early.

Evidence like surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or even dashcams in other vehicles can also disappear within days or weeks, depending on how long a system retains recordings, which is part of why early legal guidance matters. A car accident lawyer who regularly handles these cases knows which agencies and companies to contact quickly to request that footage be preserved before it's overwritten.

New Jersey generally gives families two years to file a wrongful death claim, but gathering strong evidence early makes a real difference in how that claim eventually comes together. 

If you're trying to figure out what to preserve and what comes next, metrolaw.com/ can help walk through it. We can look at your case and outline the available options based on New Jersey law. 

To learn more, you can reach metrolaw.com/ at (800) 469-6476 to speak directly with our team.