Driver flees route 70 crash then found at wawa with drugs and warrants police say — police car lights at night in city with selective focus and blurry car traffic in the bokeh

Fleeing driver caught near Route 70 convenience store

MEDFORD, NJ — A single car slammed into a utility pole on Route 70 Thursday afternoon, but when police arrived the driver was gone, setting off a search that ended in a Wawa parking lot with an arrest on drug and obstruction charges, officials said.

Police, fire and EMS crews responded around 2:45 p.m. Thursday to Route 70 and Eayrestown Road for a reported crash involving one vehicle that struck a utility pole.

The vehicle was found unoccupied. A passenger was located walking away from the scene and told officers the driver had fled. The driver was identified as Charles C. Cooper of Prince Street in Chatsworth.

Medford Township Police deployed a department drone along with a K9 team from the Pemberton Township Police Department to search the area. K9 Pepper and her handler located Cooper in the parking lot of Wawa, 257 Route 70 in Medford.

Cooper was arrested on outstanding warrants and charged with possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstruction. He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail.

A crash into a utility pole quickly turned into a manhunt that ended with a K9 track and multiple charges.

Key Points

Single vehicle crashed into utility pole at Route 70 and Eayrestown Road
Driver fled scene and was later located at Wawa on Route 70
Suspect charged with warrants, narcotics possession, paraphernalia, and obstruction

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Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News