Elderly man killed by stolen paramedic vehicle police had been trying to stop. Video & details from Vineland, New Jersey.
An 81-year-old city man was killed Tuesday morning in a motor vehicle crash that involved a stolen vehicle, according to a preliminary report from Vineland police Detective Lt. Thomas Ulrich.
Alfred S. Costantino was driving his red Plymouth Voyager from Holmes Avenue onto Chestnut Avenue when a white SUV struck his van, Ulrich said.
Michael D. Jones, 46 of Bridgeton stole the white SUV, an Underwood-Memorial Hospital tactical paramedic vehicle, from Franklinville around 8:20 a.m., Ulrich said.
Police took Jones into their custody after the accident. Vineland EMS took Jones to South Jersey Healthcare Regional Medical Center for complaints of pain following the collision, but Ulrich said his injuries are not life threatening.
Jones will be charged will felony murder – a murder committed during another crime, which in this case was theft of the vehicle, Ulrich said. The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office already approved this charge as well as another charge for eluding police, he said.
Police are speaking with a judge now to get Jones’ bail set.
Franklin police Capt. Cleo Howe said it was stolen from the Franklinville Fire Company’s paramedics’ station. He referred further details to Vineland police.
State police notified Vineland police that the stolen vehicle was in Vineland’s jurisdiction around 9 a.m. Vineland police saw the vehicle around Sherman Avenue and started a pursuit.
The pursuit ended on Chestnut Avenue shortly before the collision, which Ulrich said happened around 9:08 a.m.
Vineland police blocked off the area to traffic as they investigated. Vineland Fire Department also sent a rescue vehicle and engine to the scene.
Vineland police are still investigating.
