SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, New Jersey — A South Jersey family is shattered. A wrestling team has lost one of its own. And a community is asking how something this tragic could happen on an ordinary Tuesday morning.
Chase Sudano, a teenager and rising junior at St. Augustine Prep, was killed after his electric dirt bike collided with the back of a UPS box truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
He never made it home.
What We Know About the Crash
New Jersey State Police say the collision happened around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday at the intersection of North Firelane Road and Tranquility Court — just off NJ-70 in Southampton Township, Burlington County.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and blocked off the road for hours.
Sudano was riding the e-bike when it struck the rear of the UPS truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The exact cause of the crash remains under active investigation.
UPS Responds
In a statement, UPS said it is fully cooperating with police as investigators work to piece together what led to the deadly collision.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic accident,” the company said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones.”
A School and Community in Grief
Sudano’s wrestling coach at St. Augustine Prep confirmed the devastating news, identifying the teen as a rising junior at the school.
No further details about his condition or the moments leading up to the crash have been released as the investigation continues.
A young life. A promising future. Gone in a moment no one saw coming.
As this community grieves, one question lingers for every parent sending their kid out the door each morning — how do we keep them safe?
If you have thoughts or want to share your condolences for Chase Sudano’s family, leave a comment below.
Chase was not just a name in a police report. He was a student, a wrestler, a son — a kid with a whole future ahead of him. His school, his teammates, and his family now carry a grief no one should ever have to bear.
