Robbinsville Schools Superintendent Steve Mayer was struck by a car and killed this morning while jogging with his dog on Robbinsville-Edinburg Road.
Mayer was struck at 6:12 a.m. by a 17-year-old Robbinsville High School student, who was traveling southbound along the road, Acting Police Chief Chris Nitti said. Mayer’s dog was also killed in the accident.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Robbinsville Township Police and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Nitti said no criminal charges or summonses have been issued at this time. Police did not release the name of the driver.
All schools in Robbinsville are closed today and tomorrow, April 20, and all after school activities have been canceled.
A candlelight vigil will be held for Mayer April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Foxmoor Community Park on Washington Boulevard. The township is asking community members to leave flowers at the park’s gazebo throughout the day in his honor.
Mayer was beloved by many in the township, and he was known for his dedication to his colleagues, students and Robbinsville residents.
“Dr. Mayer was a ball of energy,” Mayor Dave Fried said. “He was someone who you always wanted to be around. He was the flame that ignited so many things. He was passionate about our kids, our schools. He was an educator. He was also a coach. He was full of life, and he really brought so much of his energy to our school district and to our town.”
Fried said Mayer was always there to help in anyway he could, so much so that when Fried first heard about a pedestrian being hit by a car, he texted Mayer.
“I found out about 6:30 this morning that there was an accident in front of the school—and of course anything that happens with the school Dr. Mayer and I would always communicate—so he was the first person I texted before I knew he was actually involved in the accident,” Fried said.
Fried asked residents to keep both families of the accident in their thoughts and prayers as the community begins to heal.
“There are two families involved in this tragedy, both Dr. Mayer’s and a student’s family, and we’re praying for them all,” Fried said.
Before serving as schools superintendent in Robbinsville, Mayer was a principal and assistant superintendent in the West Windsor School District. He also coached many sports, including lacrosse and basketball, and he was known throughout the district as someone who was always there to help students.
“He had so much joy, and passion, and belief in students that you couldn’t contain it,” Assistant Superintendent Kathy Foster said, adding that he never gave up on a single student.
Foster said the school district will carry on his message that everyone needs to believe in the infinite capacity of students to learn and be.
“We’re all grieving right now, all of us, and the only way to walk through that grief is to uphold each other,” Foster said.
School board President Matthew O’Grady said the district’s thoughts are with his family, his wife and three sons.
“In honor of Dr. Mayer, we will find our way back to normal as appropriately as possible,” O’Grady said. “Steve always put the students’ needs first, and we will continue that as we work through this devastating loss.”
Grief counseling will be made available for students and community members at the high school tomorrow. The school district will announce further details about the counseling on their website.
Taken at the last Robbinsville Board of Ed meeting – always with that wonderful smile! Thank you, Dr. Mayer. pic.twitter.com/N8ar4qaZgd — Marni Blitz (@MarniBlitz) April 19, 2016
RIP to an amazing man, father, friend and role model. Robbinsville will never be the same without you, Mr. Mayerâ¤ï¸ — kasey mac (@kaseymacc) April 19, 2016
Dr. Mayer embodied all of the great qualities of this town and the people that live in it. He’ll never be forgotten in Robbinsville. RIP. — Massi (@chrismassi33) April 19, 2016
Heart is heavy for the Mayer family and the entire #Robbinsville community. Mr. Mayer, you will be surely missed. #RestInPeace — Suchira Sharma (@SuchiraSharma) April 19, 2016
My prayers are with the family of our wonderful superintendent. Robbinsville will miss your smile & positivity. Rest in peace, Dr. Mayer — Ashley Stamboulian (@astamboulian) April 19, 2016
A candlelight vigil will be held for Steve Mayer on April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Foxmoor Community Park. The schools superintendent was struck and killed by a car while jogging.,
