GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — It was just after 7:38 p.m. last Friday when 31-year-old Kenneth “Ken” Chivalette’s life was cut tragically short. Riding his 2011 Harley-Davidson south on South New York Road, he collided head-on with a 2021 Kia Seltos driven by a 35-year-old Galloway woman, Nicole A. Ciccone. The force of the impact was devastating, and despite emergency efforts, Ken succumbed to his injuries at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Campus.
Nicole Ciccone, also a Galloway resident, has been summonsed for driving under the influence, reckless driving, and failure to possess registration, per court records. As is standard in fatal-crash investigations, her blood was drawn, and authorities are awaiting the toxicology results. So far, no formal criminal charges have been filed, and the investigation remains open.
The accident took place in the 100 block of South New York Road, between Leeds Point and Moss Mill Roads, not far from landmarks like the Galloway Township Elks Club building. Police stress that weather and road conditions late in the year can make roadways more treacherous, urging drivers to remain vigilant.
Ken was more than a motorcyclist. His obituary describes him as a devoted father, cherished friend, and a man with laughter that lit up rooms. He leaves behind two young children — a 5-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter — whom those close to him say were the center of his world. One GoFundMe page set up in his honor paints a picture of a kind, genuine soul whose joy was contagious, and whose deepest pride came from being “Dad.”
There’s a haunting irony in how Ken was known in the community. Back in 2017, he was struck and killed while helping push another motorist’s disabled vehicle off a road in Galloway — a selfless act that defined how many remember him. This time, however, he wasn’t helping someone else; he was riding home, weaving through life, when fate intervened.
Investigators are asking anyone who saw the crash or has details to contact Officer Cody Trout at 609-652-3705, ext. 377. Meanwhile, the Galloway Township Police Department has publicly thanked responding agencies — Galloway EMS, AtlantiCare paramedics, Oceanville Fire Company, and NJDOT among them — for their assistance. They also issued a sobering reminder: the road is shared by cars, motorcycles, bicycles, e-bikes, and pedestrians. As days grow colder and conditions shift, distractions have no place behind the wheel.
In communities like Galloway, the news spreads fast — and the shock lingers longer. Ken’s sudden departure has left a void not just for his children and family, but for all who knew his warmth, his optimism, and his unguarded laughter. His story now weaves in with a broader call: when we share the streets, let us drive with respect — and with the awareness that every life on the road matters.