Details Released In Crash That Killed Sunset Watcher In Cape May

On Sunday, May 29, at 7:38 p.m., Lower Township police responded to a motor vehicle crash near Lincoln Boulevard and Beach Drive. 

Police found a 2015 Hyundai Elantra had struck another vehicle and then a pedestrian seated on a bench before coming to rest in the Delaware Bay, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland alongside Chief Kevin Lewis of the Lower Township Police Department.

The pedestrian, identified as Donna Buhner, from the Erma section of Lower Township, was airlifted by MEDEVAC helicopter to Cooper Trauma Center where she died as a result of her injuries, they said.

Reports said Buhner was with others apparently watching the sunset when the fatal crash occurred.

The driver of the 2015 Hyundai Elantra, James Swayne, 56, of Somerset was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center to be treated for his injuries, they said.

Initial statements from witnesses indicate that Swayne may have suffered a medical emergency just prior to the crash, they said.

This investigation is being conducted by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Crash Investigation Unit and members of the Lower Township Police Department. 

This incident is still under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time, Sutherland said.

Anyone with information regarding this tragic accident is encouraged to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 465-1135, the Lower Township Police Department at (609) 886-1619, or the information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.

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