A man faces charges of death by auto after a high-speed crash into the back of a tractor-trailer resulted in the death of his passenger, according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO).
The tragic accident occurred around 3:20 p.m. on April 16 on the 9000 block of Crescent Boulevard southbound in Pennsauken, authorities said. Investigators determined that Gage Patton was responsible for the crash that killed his passenger, Sean Hill, 20, of Pennsauken, according to the CCPO.
Patton, 20, also of Pennsauken, was arrested on Tuesday. He faces a second-degree death by auto charge and multiple motor-vehicle summonses.
The CCPO reported that Patton was driving at a high speed when his Chrysler collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer. Hill was trapped in the vehicle and later pronounced dead at the scene.
Patton was taken to Cooper University Hospital in stable condition, while the tractor-trailer driver remained uninjured.
Sean Hill, a 2021 graduate of Pennsauken High School, had been an active member of the Unified Track Team, contributing to a state championship victory in his senior year with a first-place shot put performance.
Following graduation, Hill worked on the grounds crew for the Pennsauken Public Schools Facilities Department. District Superintendent Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi remembered Hill fondly, noting his respectful and kind nature.
“Sean was known by most district employees at any school he worked at because he always greeted everyone with a ‘hello’ and a smile,” Tarchichi said. “He was respectful, kind, and was one of the great products of Pennsauken Public Schools.”
Hill had a passion for cars and fireworks from a young age, enjoying car shows and monster truck events, and saving his earnings for fireworks displays. As he grew older, he developed a love for cooking, often exploring recipes with his cousin and enjoying family meals.
He was also an active member of his church, always ready to help others with a smile.
“Always ready to lend a hand or share a hug and a smile, he found joy in helping others,” his obituary reads, “whether assisting them up the stairs to the sanctuary or their cars in the parking lot.”
