Still looking for driver who killed former Somerville, NJ fire chief
It’s been almost two months since George Kavanaugh was struck in front of the Lincoln Hose Firehouse in Somerville, New Jersey by a driver who fled the scene. The case is still not closed even with a $15000 reward.
George Kavanaugh was 75 and the former fire chief. Kavanaugh was also the uncle of a friend of mine, Margret Nedelkoff. Veteran DC firefighters will likely remember Margret as Margret Kellems, who was deputy mayor for public safety and justice about 15-years-ago.
(NOTE – Since posting this on Friday, Margret Nedelkoff added this comment:
Dave – thanks for posting this again. As anyone can imagine, it is devastating to the family to have lost George in such a horrific way and worse still to have no answers. Uncle George was a man of God, a dedicated husband, father, and proud grandfather, a military veteran, a volunteer in the fire service for 50 years, and a pillar in his community. Our family continues to pray that someone will come forward and help bring a measure of closure and peace to George’s wife, children, and grandchildren. He deserves better than to become a forgotten statistic or unsolved cold case. Thank you for keeping this story in the news.)
According to an article last month by Mike Deak at mycentraljersey.com, a witness said the vehicle was idling for about ten to fifteen minutes in front of the firehouse bay door just before George Kavanaugh was hit on the night of March 6:
“Through our investigation, thus far, we have developed a strong belief that there is an individual or individuals out that who can identify the vehicle that struck George Kavanaugh,” (Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey) Soriano said. “The Kavanaugh family is, indeed, entitled to the decency of forthrightness. Let us all hope that the monetary reward offered by Crime Stoppers of Somerset County and Sheriff Frank Provenzano might very go a long way in assisting with the fulfillment of that entitlement.”
Kavanaugh was standing on the sidewalk in front of the firehouse at about 9:25 p.m. March 6 and was waiting for a ride from a friend when he was was struck and run over by a light-colored vehicle that backed out of the fire department parking lot, Soriano said.
Anyone having any information is asked to contact the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tips Line at 888-577-8477. Information may also be submitted online at at www.888577TIPS.org.
