Tragedy on Route 18: Rutgers Student Anthony Hanna’s Life Cut Short in Fatal Crash
NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY — The stretch of Route 18 that winds past Rutgers University is often busy, but on Thursday, October 30, 2025, it became the site of a devastating tragedy that has left an entire community mourning the loss of Anthony Hanna, a 20-year-old Rutgers student known for his kindness, intellect, and selfless nature.
According to the New Brunswick Police Department, the crash occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. near the junction connecting Route 18 to George Street. When emergency responders arrived, they found a severely damaged vehicle with Hanna inside. Despite the quick arrival of paramedics and fire crews, their efforts were in vain. Anthony Hanna was pronounced deceased at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.
Authorities have not yet released official details regarding the cause of the accident. Whether it involved multiple vehicles, poor weather, or mechanical failure remains under investigation. Police have confirmed, however, that no foul play is suspected, and reconstruction experts are analyzing the scene to determine the sequence of events.
A Promising Life Interrupted
Anthony Hanna was a junior at Rutgers University, majoring in political science with a minor in philosophy. Those who knew him describe a student whose energy and compassion extended far beyond the classroom. Professors recall his curiosity and his eagerness to engage in discussion — not for grades, but out of a genuine desire to understand the world. “Anthony had a remarkable way of connecting abstract ideas to real-world empathy,” said Professor Linda Morales, who taught him in a civic leadership course. “He didn’t just study policy; he lived it through his volunteer work.”
That volunteer work included mentoring underclassmen, organizing community service drives, and assisting at a New Brunswick food pantry. Fellow student Maya Lopez said, “He was the kind of person who made people feel seen. When you were struggling, he noticed — and he cared enough to help quietly, without needing attention.”
Anthony grew up in Somerset, New Jersey, the eldest of three siblings. His parents, David and Caroline Hanna, described him as “a bright light who brought people together.” They shared that he dreamed of attending law school and eventually working in public service to advocate for education reform. “He believed in fairness and opportunity,” his father said. “He wanted to make the world better, one small action at a time.”
Community Mourning and Support
In the wake of his passing, Rutgers University has offered grief counseling and announced plans to hold a campus vigil on the Voorhees Mall green, where Anthony often spent afternoons reading or studying with friends. A memorial scholarship fund in his name is also being established to support students who demonstrate leadership through service.
Friends and classmates have flooded social media with tributes — photos of Anthony laughing in the student center, notes from study sessions, and heartfelt messages describing his quiet strength. One post read, “Anthony didn’t just make friends; he built communities.”
As investigators continue their work, flowers and handwritten notes now line a section of the Route 18 median near the crash site. Students stop to leave mementos — a Rutgers cap, a copy of one of his favorite books, a candle flickering against the cold autumn wind.
A Legacy of Kindness
What remains clear is that Anthony Hanna’s impact cannot be measured by grades, awards, or achievements alone. His legacy is written in the lives he touched — the classmates he mentored, the professors he inspired, and the friends who now grieve his absence.
For his parents, siblings, and friends, Route 18 will never look the same again. It is now the place where a young man full of promise began his final journey — and where a community learned how fragile, and how precious, every ordinary day can be.
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