SPARTA — A 21-year-old Morris Township man was killed following a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning, May 17, on Route 15 northbound in Sparta Township.
According to the Sparta Township Police Department, officers responded at approximately 12:45 a.m. to the area of Route 15 northbound near Layton Lane for a reported motor vehicle crash.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2025 Kia K4, operated by Ryan Mullins, 21, of Morris Township, was traveling northbound with two female passengers when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle left the roadway. Police said the vehicle struck a guardrail, became airborne over adjacent railroad tracks, and ultimately came to rest overturned in a wooded area near the highway.
Mullins was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The two passengers were able to safely self-extricate from the overturned vehicle and were transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. Both individuals were later released.
Route 15 northbound remained closed for approximately nine hours while emergency crews secured the scene and investigators conducted the crash investigation.
The incident remains under investigation. Authorities stated that no additional information is being released at this time.
The Sparta Township Police Department was assisted at the scene by the New Jersey State Police and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office.
