On August 12, 2026, Gloucester Township Police Officers were assigned to a construction work zone on Evesham Road while roadway work was being completed. An officer assigned to the work zone was stationary, closing the roadway when an individual from a nearby business began shouting profanities at the officer and demanding that he leave the area.
A short time later, the same individual entered a vehicle, drove onto the closed roadway, and proceeded recklessly through the active construction zone.
The driver accelerated toward construction workers before stopping a short distance into the work zone where the roadway became impassable. The driver then reversed the vehicle, nearly striking the police officer. The officer ran toward the vehicle and ordered the driver to exit to place him under arrest. The driver refused to comply, continued yelling at the officer, and again accelerated through the work zone.
As the driver fled, he again nearly struck multiple individuals before cutting through a nearby business parking lot and continuing onto a residential street.
Construction workers immediately ran toward the Gloucester Township Police Officer out of concern that the officer had been struck by the fleeing vehicle. The officer also initially believed that several construction workers may have been struck. Fortunately, after the driver fled the area, officers confirmed that no one had been injured.
Gloucester Township Police Officers and Detectives quickly identified the driver as Matthew Senkier, age 40, of the 100 block of Kerry Lynn Court in Williamstown, New Jersey. Senkier was subsequently located, taken into custody, and charged with Eluding, Obstruction, Resisting Arrest and Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon. He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
Police officers, construction workers, and roadway crews face inherent dangers while operating within active work zones. Construction equipment, changing traffic patterns, and passing vehicles all present significant risks to those working in and around these areas.
The decision to close a roadway is carefully considered and coordinated to minimize disruption to the community while maintaining the safety of workers, motorists, and the public. Intentionally disregarding a roadway closure and driving into an active work zone places lives at unnecessary risk and will not be tolerated. Those who engage in this type of dangerous behavior may face criminal charges as well as applicable motor vehicle summonses.
New Jersey law also provides enhanced penalties for certain motor vehicle violations committed within designated construction and work zones, including increased fines.
The Gloucester Township Police Department remains committed to protecting those working on our roadways and providing safe travel for everyone who lives, works, and visits our community.