Community mourns 16-year-old wrestler Chase Sudano, who died in an e-bike crash in Burlington County

The South Jersey wrestling community is mourning 16-year-old Chase Sudano, who died in an electric bike crash involving a UPS truck in Burlington County on Tuesday morning.

New Jersey state troopers responded to a crash at 10:45 a.m. near the intersection of Tranquility Court and North Firelane Road near Route 70 in Southampton Township, N.J.

Sudano was driving a Talaria electric dirt bike east on North Firelane Road and collided with the right rear of the truck, which was traveling south on Tranquility Court and approaching the intersection of North Firelane Road, according to police.

Sudano was ejected from the bike and sustained fatal injuries from the impact. No other injuries were reported. The case remains under investigation, police say.

A UPS spokesperson wrote in a statement: “We are heartbroken by the tragic accident in Southampton Township, N.J. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones. We are fully cooperating with authorities to understand what happened. Since this is an active investigation, we must refer any additional questions to the authorities.”

Sudano, who attended St. Augustine Prep in Atlantic County, was approaching his 17th birthday and lived in Southampton, according to 6abc.

He was a rising wrestling star and had “exceptional character, integrity, and humility — not only on the wrestling mat, but in every aspect of his life,” St. Augustine Prep Athletics wrote.

As a sophomore, Sudano was a district champion and third-place finisher at regionals in the 126-pound weight class. He qualified for the NJSIAA state wrestling championship in Atlantic City, where he competed in the preliminary round, and finished his season with a 32-12 record.

South Jersey schools and wrestling programs, including Rutgers University, shared their condolences to the Sudano family.

“The St. Augustine Prep community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our Hermit Brother,” the school’s athletic department wrote. “... He embodied the values of our brotherhood and left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. As we mourn this tremendous loss, we stand together in support of one another.”

Sudano wrestled in elementary school with the Rancocas Valley youth program and showed promise for a bright future, Rancocas Valley Wrestling said. The program also shared on social media that he’ll be remembered for “his strong work ethic, witty humor, and fierce competitive spirt.”

A GoFundMe page organized by John Chirico noted that Sudano “was laid back, funny, and genuinely well liked by everyone who knew him. He had a way of making people laugh and bringing a smile to those around him.”

His club team, River Club, which is based in Fort Washington in Montgomery County, posted on Instagram that Sudano was at more “wrestling practices than anyone in the last 13 years.”

Pride Wrestling Club in Newfield, Gloucester County, wrote on Facebook that he was “an [integral] part of the South Jersey wrestling community. … We will all miss you dearly as a friend, competitor, opponent and family.”