New Year’s Eve Crash on Route 47 Kills Vineland Pastor

On the evening of Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at about 9:15 p.m., Vineland police responded to a two-vehicle collision on North Delsea Drive near Columbia Avenue. According to police reports, a Chrysler 300 driven by 41-year-old Lance D. Warren of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, was attempting a U-turn near Columbia Avenue when it was struck by a Chevrolet Camaro driven by 33-year-old Donald S. Hunt Jr. of Pittsgrove. Warren was transported to Inspira Medical Center in Vineland and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Hunt was treated at the same facility for a reported back injury.

Authorities said the investigation remained active and that no charges had been filed at the time of reporting. Police asked members of the public with information to contact the Vineland Police Department Traffic Safety Unit. Local coverage noted that Warren had served as a pastor, and his death has been met with grief across congregations and neighborhoods where he was known.

The crash occurred on a busy stretch of Route 47 that carries both local and through traffic, particularly at night. Beyond the immediate tragedy for the families involved, the collision highlights broader public safety and public health concerns for Cumberland County. Fatal and serious crashes place strain on emergency medical services and on hospital emergency departments, and they can leave lasting emotional and financial consequences for survivors, first responders and communities. The loss of a community leader like a pastor can intensify communal grief and increase demand for bereavement and mental health supports at a time when such services are often limited.

This incident may prompt local officials to review traffic controls, signage, lighting and policies governing U-turns along North Delsea Drive, as well as enforcement practices aimed at reducing high-risk maneuvers. It also underscores the importance of accessible post-crash care and support services, including trauma care capacity at regional hospitals and community-based counseling for families and congregations.

As the investigation continues, residents who witnessed the collision or who have relevant information are asked to contact the Vineland Police Department Traffic Safety Unit to assist authorities in clarifying the circumstances that led to this fatal crash.