Woman Fatally Struck At Scene Of Different Crash In South Jersey: Police

OLDMANS TOWNSHIP, NJ — A woman was fatally struck on the highway in South Jersey last week at the scene of another crash, authorities said.

Two drivers crashed Wednesday evening and pulled over to the left shoulder on Interstate 295 South in Oldmans Township, Salem County, said Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron, a State Police spokesperson.

At around 7 p.m., a woman exited one of the vehicles and walked into the lane of travel, where an oncoming Ford SUV struck her, Lebron said.

The victim — Ruth Melnichuck, 28, of Salem — died from the collision, officials said.

The crash remains under investigation, and no other information is available, Lebron said on Monday morning.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support Melnichuk's parents and two sisters. The family says they've also been mourning the loss of Ruth's brother, who died in early 2024.