Pastor Dies In Crash On New Year's Eve In South Jersey

VINELAND, NJ — A Philadelphia-area church leader died in a crash on New Year's Eve in South Jersey.

Lance D. Warren, 41, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, died at the hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Vineland, police said.

The crash happened around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday on North Delsea Drive (Route 47) in Vineland.

Warren was driving southbound when he tried to make a u-turn by Columbia Avenue, police said. As he was completing the u-turn, a Chevrolet Camaro was traveling southbound on North Delsea Drive and struck his vehicle, according to law enforcement.

Warren was brought to Inspira Medical Center Vineland, where he was pronounced dead. The other driver was treated at the same hospital for a back injury, police said.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no charges have been filed at this time, police said Friday.

Warren served as a pastor since 2011, according to a post he made on social media. Most recently, he was a senior pastor at Temple of Restoration and Hope, a church in Philadelphia.

Several people, including fellow Philadelphia clergy, mourned his loss on social media.

"You never disappointed, you supported me in ways that are unexplained, you supported my ministry, my life, my growth, my marriage and my education," said Cauzell Harris, senior pastor at The Meeting Place Outreach Ministry. "There will never be an another Apostle Dr. Lance D. Warren."

"I loved you man, and your departure leaves a hole in our hearts," said OJ Fallins, senior pastor at Changing Lives for Christ Church. "May you rest in the savior's arms. You were a remarkable individual, and your absence will be sincerely mourned. Love you to life my friend!"

Anyone with information on the crash can call the Vineland Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit at 856-691-4111 ext. 4350.