Pedestrian Crossing Route 72 Struck, Suffers ‘Extensive’ Injuries

STAFFORD, NJ - A pedestrian who attempted to cross Route 72 early Monday morning was hospitalized with “extensive” injuries, authorities said.

Around 12:48 a.m., Stafford police responded to the pedestrian crash in the area of Marsha Drive.

An initial investigation found that Kathryn Loftus, 27, of Harvey Cedars, was traveling east on Route 72 in the right lane of travel operating her 2019 white Honda CRV when she struck 21-year-old Alexa Paradiso of Oakland.

Paradiso and a group of friends were attempting to cross Route 72 at Marsha Drive into Beach Haven West, police said.

Paradiso was flown to Atlantic City Trauma Center for extensive head and external/internal injuries, police added.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Stafford Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau.

Route 72 eastbound was completely closed down for approximately 1.5 hours, and traffic was diverted through Beach Haven West, police added.

No charges were filed against Loftus as a result of this investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this accident is asked to contact Traffic Safety Officer Justin Pascale at (609) 597-1189 extension 8436 or at jpascale@staffordpolice.org.