Iraq war veteran, stepdaughter die in crash

A South Jersey man who survived two tours of duty in the Iraq war was killed with his young stepdaughter when they steered their go-cart onto a dark road and crashed with a car.

Jack Green, 42, a master sergeant with the New Jersey Air National Guard who had recently returned from Iraq, and Alexa D. Quinto-Green, 8, were dead at the scene of the Tuesday night crash on Mays Landing Road in Winslow Township, just across from their Michaels Lane home, authorities said.

Winslow Township Police Capt. Michael Bartuccio said the "horrific crash" happened shortly before 8 p.m. A southbound tan Toyota driven by a 33-year-old Atco man struck the go-cart. The investigation is continuing, but Bartuccio said the driver was not hurt and has not been charged.

The crash was heard by several people who live in the quiet enclave of large, well-kept homes.

"We were watching TV when we heard a terrific noise, like someone smashing into a Dumpster," said Don Duffield, a nearby resident. "We saw this lady shoot out of Michaels Court and jump out of the car and start screaming."

Neighbors said Green's wife, the mother of Alexa and a younger son, rushed to the scene when she heard the crash.

Another neighbor who declined to be named because a relative works in law enforcement said Green's wife arrived at the scene just before she did.

"It's something I'll never forget," said the neighbor. "She ran over and picked up her daughter and she ran to me and said, 'Please, please help me.' "

The woman said a neighbor with a cellular phone called for emergency assistance.

Duffield, one of the onlookers, said the driver of the car "broke down" when he found out the victims had died.

Green, who had returned from Iraq before Christmas, bought the go-cart for "Lexi," a third grader, as a Christmas present, the female neighbor said. She said she often saw him playing catch with his stepdaughter.

"He was a family man," she said.

"He was a good guy," said a state trooper whose father lives near the family. "Mr. Family Man. Mr. Responsibility. Mr. Reliable."

Green "was a dream neighbor," said George Dendall, who lives on Mays Landing Road. "He was the best neighbor you could ever want. He'd do anything for you. I'm going to miss him."

Lt. Col. James Garcia, a spokesman for the state National Guard who knew Green, described him as "a good guy, quiet but a good personality" who kept fit by working out.

An avionics specialist, Green was called to serve after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in the homeland security initiative Operation Noble Eagle, Garcia said. In 2004, he was deployed to the Persian Gulf region. In 2006, he was sent to Iraq.

Neighbors described his stepdaughter as a bright child. She attended the Folsom School.

"The Folsom family is deeply saddened by this tragedy," said Cindy Pritchett, the school's supervisor of curriculum, in a written statement. "Staff and counselors are working together with students to get through this difficult time. We want to offer our condolences to the family and friends."

Adjacent to the accident scene is a grassy lot that neighbors said is a popular spot for all-terrain vehicles, go-carts and dune buggies. One neighbor said a letter had been sent out by the township in the past cautioning residents about riding their vehicles in the area.

Capt. Bartuccio said he was not aware of such a letter. He said unlicensed motorized vehicles may be driven only on one's property.