With a heavy heart and profound sorrow, we share and mourn the tragic passing of Rickey Boone Jr., 22, of West Windsor, whose life was cut short in a devastating single-vehicle crash late Thursday night in Lawrence Township, New Jersey.
Rickey was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle left the roadway and entered a body of water near Brunswick Pike northbound at the Kelly Viaduct, close to Quakerbridge Mall in Lawrence Township.
Officers from the Lawrence Township Police Department responded around 11:07 p.m. Thursday after a witness reported hearing a crash and seeing a vehicle submerged in water near 3320 Brunswick Pike. When officers arrived, they confirmed the vehicle had left the roadway and was fully submerged, with no indication that the driver had been able to exit prior to emergency response.
Lawrence Township Fire Department, Lawrence Township Emergency Medical Services, and the Trenton Fire Department Water Rescue Team all responded to assist. Water rescue personnel entered the water and located the sole occupant of the vehicle. Despite all efforts, Rickey Boone Jr. was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Preliminary investigation indicates Rickey was driving a 2012 Honda CR-V northbound on Brunswick Pike when he lost control, left the roadway, and entered the water. No other vehicles were involved, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Rickey was a former basketball player at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, where he played during the 2021–22 season, before continuing his career at Mercer County Community College, where he played during the 2022–2023 men’s basketball season.
Mercer County Community College shared a heartfelt tribute honoring him, saying:
Rickey was a key member of the Mercer County Men’s Basketball 2022/2023 roster, a roster that helped turn our program around from the previous 2-24 season. The impact he made in his short time will never fade. Those who had the honor of meeting Rickey all would agree he was beam of light who carried positivity with him everywhere.
He will be remembered for his kindness, his positive energy, and the light he brought into every space he entered. His passing leaves a deep void, but his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Rest in peace, Rickey Boone Jr.
