Mays Landing, New Jersey woke to heavy hearts Saturday after a local man, 41-year-old William Bussey III, was killed in a single-car crash on Route 40 just after midnight. Bussey was driving alone when his car suddenly veered off the highway and struck a cluster of trees near Strand Avenue in Hamilton Township. He was pronounced dead at the scene and police say he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
Friends and neighbors in the close-knit Mays Landing community described Bussey as someone always ready with a smile or a helping hand, a fixture at local events and a familiar face around town. Early reports from the Hamilton Township Police Department show he was headed eastbound on Route 40 in his 2015 Cadillac XTS when he lost control of the car shortly after 12:30 a.m. The vehicle traveled off the road across the westbound shoulder before crashing into trees. Emergency crews responded quickly but were unable to save him.
The news of Bussey’s sudden death rippled through the community as word spread that a life so full of family, work and friendships had been cut short. Those who knew him best spoke of his dedication to his family and his steady presence at local high school sports games and weekend gatherings. Many locals posted memories and condolences on social media, recalling his easy laugh and kind nature.
Police closed a portion of Route 40 for about three hours while collision reconstruction teams worked to piece together what happened. The Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad, AtlantiCare paramedics and multiple fire departments assisted at the scene, along with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators continue to evaluate evidence from the crash site to better understand the cause of the accident.
Bussey’s family released a brief statement through friends, saying they are overwhelmed by grief and asking for privacy as they try to process their loss. “We lost a wonderful man who loved deeply and was loved in return,” the statement read. “His absence leaves a hole in our hearts that will never fully heal.”
Local clergy, neighbors and schoolmates gathered later in the day at a nearby community center, sharing stories and offering support to one another. For many, the tragedy was a reminder of how fragile life can be — and how quickly a familiar face can fade from the everyday fabric of a town.
As the investigation proceeds and friends begin to plan memorials in his honor, the people of Mays Landing are left to remember William Bussey III not just for how he died but for who he was: a devoted father, loyal friend and valued member of a community that now mourns his passing.
