Union Beach, NJ cop, 29, killed in off-duty crash on Route 36

Update: Monday 10:45 a.m.: The Atlantic Highlands police confirmed in a statement that Det. Cpl. Timothy Kelly, Jr. was the victim of Sunday morning's crash.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS — An off-duty cop serving Union Beach was killed in a Sunday morning crash, according to police.

Union Beach police Chief Michael Woodrow said on social media that Detective Corporal Timothy Kelly, Jr., 29, was a "rising star" who had been with the department for five years. He was taking a similar path to his father who had also served in law enforcement, police said.

Kelly was killed in a crash early Sunday morning on Route 36 northbound near Grand Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, according to a source close to the investigation who was not authorized to speak publicly about this case. The cause of the crash is still unknown.

In an update Monday morning, Atlantic Highlands police Captain Harry Murtha said that the crash occurred just before 2 a.m. and confirmed Kelly was the only motorist involved. Responding officers found his 2010 Honda Civic had crashed into a telephone pole, according to Murtha.

"The Atlantic Highlands Police Department offers our deepest condolences to the Union Beach Police Department and the Kelly Family," Murtha said in a statement. "Rest in peace Detective Corporal Timothy Kelly."

"We mourn the loss of our brother officer who died overnight in an off-duty crash" the NJ State PBA said on social media. "Pray for his family and friends."

Rick Rickman is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at richard.rickman@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.