Helmetta volunteer fire chief killed in crash: ‘The community is deeply saddened’
SOUTH BRUNSWICK – A Jamesburg man who served as the chief of the Helmetta Volunteer Fire Department was killed Monday when the motorcycle he was driving on Georges Road was struck by a minivan.
Christopher Acs, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka announced.
"The community is deeply saddened," said Helmetta Mayor Chris Slavicek, adding the close-knit community has a very heavy heart. "On behalf of the mayor, administration, council, we extended our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and members of the Helmetta Volunteer Fire Department."
Slavicek said Acs’ death is a huge loss to the fire department and an extremely sad time.
Flags on Borough of Helmetta properties was ordered to be flown at half-staff in honor of Acs, Slavicek wrote on his Facebook page.
Police responded around 3:21 p.m. Monday to the crash at the intersection of Georges Road and Summerfield Boulevard.
An investigation indicates Acs was traveling northbound on Georges Road when he was struck by a 2019 Honda Odyssey, authorities said. The identity of the driver of the minivan was not released.
Slavicek said Acs grew up in Helmetta in a well-known, dedicated family. His father also served with the Helmetta Volunteer Fire Department.
"They are a great family, very giving in service to others," said Slavicek, adding Acs, a husband and father of two children, became the fire chief this year.
Acs was a 28-year veteran of the Helmetta Volunteer Fire Department and also served as a Deputy Warden with the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service, B - Division, Section 10, according to the fire department's Facebook post.
"He was a devoted, dedicated member who worked tirelessly on the apparatus and the building throughout the years. His efforts on behalf of the Borough of Helmetta will be sorely missed," the post states.
“As a resident, he was a great member of our community,” Jamesburg Mayor Marlene Lowande said. “He was such a nice, nice person.”
The Jamesburg Fire Department Facebook page posted a tribute to Acs as chief of the Helmetta Fire Department.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Aimee Linke of Jamesburg to benefit Acs' two children, a daughter in high school and a son in middle school. A goal of $50,000 was set, and by late Tuesday afternoon nearly $2,500 had been raised.
"We want to support them and step up the way he (Acs) would for his friends in need. All funds donated here will be directed to Chris’s wife Laura. As a close family friend, this site has been set up with the blessing of the Acs family. Please share this so we can honor Chris and support his family in their time of need," is written on the page.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Patrolman Jason Gassman at 732-329-4000 ext. 7432 or Detective Jonathan Berman at 732-745-4328.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Helmetta NJ Volunteer Fire Chief Chris Acs dies in crash
