Commercial MVC – Route 40/Porchtown Rd – Franklin Twp. Gloucester County
Monday, March 22, 2021 – 1:12PM – Photographs by Cindy Merckx/The Sentinel of Gloucester County Weekly Newspaper (Updated 6:45PM 3/22/21)
Franklin Township Police and Franklinville Fire Company 43-1 were dispatched at 1:12PM on Monday, March 22nd to a Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash with Entrapment at Route 40 (Harding Highway) and Porchtown Road, Franklin Township, Gloucester County.
Upon arrival, responding officers observed four vehicles in total involved in the crash; two of them being commercial tractor trailers. Police Investigation revealed Itopa Ibraham of Dorothy, NJ was operating a 2000 MAC Tractor Trailer traveling east bound on Harding Highway. At the time of the crash, Ibraham was stopped at the traffic signal at the intersection of Harding Highway and Porchtown Road. The vehicle stopped behind Ibraham was operated by James Budd Jr. of Ocean View, NJ who was operating a 2019 Buick Enclave at the time of the crash. The vehicle behind Budd Jr. was operated by Richard Repetto of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware who was operating a 2009 Hyundai Sonata at the time on the crash. As Repetto’s vehicle was coming to a stop, he was struck in the rear by a 2009 Mac Tractor Trailer operated by Albert Souders of Millville, NJ. After being struck, it caused a chain reaction crash involving all four vehicles. As a result of the crash, Repetto was entrapped in his vehicle and had to be extracated by Franklinville Fire Company before being flown to Cooper Trauma Center by New Jersey State Police Helicopter. At this time, Repetto is listed in critical condition. The passenger of Repetto’s vehicle; as well as Budd Jr. was transported by Gloucester County EMS to Cooper Hospital for their injuries. At this time, they are both listed in stable condition. The crash is still actively under investigation and charges are pending the outcome. The investigation is being completed by Ofc. Moretti of the Franklin Township Police Department. On scene assistance was provided by Gloucester County EMS, Inspira Paramedics, Franklinville Fire Company, NJ Department of Transportation and the New Jersey State Police.