Police confirm to NBC10 that a Moorestown, Burlington County, New Jersey police officer was hit and killed after being thrown off his motorcycle Saturday night.
Officer Craig Berner, 52, of Moorestown was on a Honda motorcycle around 10 p.m., traveling on Route 614.
Sgt. Adam Grossman with New Jersey State Police confirms that Berner lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown into the path of oncoming traffic.
Berner was hit by a Ford F-150 truck and died at the scene.
The driver of the truck, William McGovern, works for the Burlington County Prosecutor's office, according to Grossman.
Both men were off duty at the time of the accident.
Berner was a husband and father of three, according to a report on NBCNews.com.
On the Facebook page for Cinnaminson Township, a fellow officer posted that Berner was "a great father, police officer, former U.S. Marine and friend who many will miss dearly."
"Our thoughts, sympathy, and prayers go out to Officer Berner’s family and his extended Moorestown Police/Law Enforcement Family during this trying time. Godspeed."
Community members who knew Berner have been responding all day with condolences.
Ryan Mayer said Patrolman Berner, who was a 26-year veteran on the force, was one of the nicest guys he knew.
The accident is being investigated by state police and by the Camden County Prosecutor's office to avoid any conflict of interest since McGovern works for Burlington County.
According to court documents, McGovern is a detective with the Burlington County Prosecutor's office. Detectives initiate investigations as well as assist other police agencies with investigating a wide range of illegal conduct, according to the prosecutor's annual report.
Photo Credit: NBC10.com