Byram resident killed in fatal crash

On July 7, Byram resident Luke Mueller was killed while driving on Route 206. According to reports of the accident, Mueller was driving a Pontiac Grand Am east on the Route 206 south ramp to Route 80 east when his vehicle veered off the right side of the road and hit several trees near the exit ramp in the Mount Olive area. The accident was reported around 3:07 p.m. at mile marker 25.3.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which is currently under investigation by the NJ Fatal Accident Unit. Luke’s father, Ray Mueller, suspected that his son may have swerved to avoid a deer, citing the pattern of the tire marks found at the scene when he arrived. Ray also confirmed that the medical examiner found no alcohol or drugs in Luke’s system, and Luke’s phone logs showed no calls or texts during the time of the accident, further suggesting that Luke’s accident may have been due to an attempt to avoid an animal.

In a statement, Ray Mueller said, “We await results of the NJ Fatal Accident Unit investigation, but from the tire brake marks I suspect that he swerved to avoid a deer and then lost control, with speeding contributing to the tragic result. It would be just like Luke to do everything to not hurt an animal. In any event, in hope of preventing more injury or death, my wife and I want to share a lesson learned that if you see a deer on the road, slow down but stay in your lane. Swerving is a natural reaction but can lead to loss of control. Better to hit the deer if necessary.”

Luke attended Lenape Valley High School, Class of 2007.

The NJ State Police responded to the scene, along with EMS teams, one of which included Luke’s high school classmate Adam Soccio, according to Ray Mueller.