New Jersey State Trooper dies after being hit by vehicle

WEST DEPTFORD, NJ (WTXF) - A New Jersey State Trooper has died after he was struck by a vehicle in West Deptford New Jersey Monday evening.

Trooper Sean Cullen, 31, was pronounced dead early Tuesday morning at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

According to police, Trooper Cullen was responding to a car fire following a crash in the southbound lanes of I-295 around 8:15 p.m. Monday.

Cullen was walking near the scene of the crash where emergency vehicles had surrounded the fire, when he was struck by a passing car.

Trooper Cullen was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital with severe injuries to his head.

Police say the 22-year-old woman who was driving the car stopped immediately, and has been cooperating with authorities.

New Jersey State Police wrote on Facebook that members of Cullen's family and a number of troopers and other law enforcement personnel were holding a vigil inside the hospital, and Cullen was pronounced dead around 12:30 a.m.

Trooper Cullen was stationed at the Bellmawr Station and had been a State Trooper for about two years. He was a member of the 154th State Police Class. Cullen previously worked as an officer in Westhampton Township, New Jersey. 

Cullen was engaged to be married and had a 9-month-old son. He is also survived by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie released the following statement following Trooper Cullen's death: 

He was a 2003 graduate of Cinnaminson High School, where he was a standout wrestler. He was an All-American wrestler at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in criminal justice.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and no charges or tickets have been filed against the driver.