In a ceremony held on November 7, 2024, New Jersey officials unveiled a new interstate highway interchange dedicated to the memory of Ensign John R. Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., a young naval officer tragically killed by a drunken driver in 2000. The newly completed corridor connecting Interstate 295 and Route 42 near Philadelphia, is now the Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange, honoring his service and sacrifice.
Ensign Elliott was killed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver on July 22, 2000, just two months after graduating with distinction from the United States Naval Academy. At the time of his death, Elliott was on his way home to the Jersey Shore to celebrate his mother's birthday and was preparing to enter Naval Flight School that fall. He was 23 years old.
The dedication ceremony, held at the Bellmawr Baseball Park, was attended by Elliott family members, New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Francis O'Connor, state and local officials, and supporters of the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, the nonprofit organization established in Elliott's memory. The event included a sign unveiling for the new interchange, which opened in November 2023 after nearly two decades of construction.
In his remarks, Commissioner O’Connor described the dedication as a "fitting tribute" to Ensign Elliott, noting that the memorial interchange serves not only as a remembrance of Elliott's service and sacrifice but also as a symbol of New Jersey's commitment to promoting highway safety. "We are proud to dedicate this interchange in his honor," O'Connor said. "It is our hope that this memorial will serve as a permanent reminder of the importance of safe driving and the consequences of impaired driving."
Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott, spoke movingly at the ceremony, reflecting on the profound loss of his son and the role the new interchange could have played in preventing his death. "We know this interchange would have saved our son’s life," he said. "If it had been in place, John would have chosen the safer route home, I-295, rather than Route 40, where the tragic accident occurred." The two-lane, undivided Route 40 was the shortest route to the Elliott family's home, but it was also more dangerous, especially at night when the collision took place.
The new interchange, which provides safe and convenient access to I-295 and Route 42, opened in November 2023 after years of construction. The project was championed by local lawmakers, including 2nd District Senator Vince Polistina, who sponsored the legislation to dedicate the interchange. In August 2024, the legislation was signed into law by Acting Governor Nicholas Scutari.
Senator Polistina, who also spoke at the ceremony, acknowledged the deep pain the Elliott family endured following their son's death but emphasized the lasting impact of their advocacy for highway safety. "Out of their grief, the HERO Foundation was born," Polistina said. "Through their tireless work raising awareness about drunk driving, countless lives have been saved and will continue to be saved."
A Lasting Impact on Highway Safety
The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers was founded by the Elliott family in honor of Ensign Elliott. The nonprofit organization has grown into a nationwide movement focused on preventing drunk driving by encouraging the use of designated drivers. Through partnerships with schools, law enforcement, and sports teams, the HERO Campaign has reached millions of people across the country. To date, more than 150,000 people have pledged to be designated drivers, helping to reduce the risk of impaired driving accidents.
In 2001, the New Jersey legislature enacted "John’s Law," which requires police to impound the vehicles of those arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) for 12 hours. This law has helped prevent intoxicated individuals from driving while still impaired. According to the New Jersey State Police, nearly 24,000 vehicles are impounded annually under John’s Law.
The HERO Campaign also sponsors the HERO Patrol Car Program with police departments throughout New Jersey, featuring a growing fleet of police cruisers wrapped in blue and gold and the HERO Campaign logo and slogan, Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver. More than 20 HERO Patrol vehicles were on display at the dedication ceremony, including two new ones from Lawrence Township and Lower Township.
Remembering Ensign Elliott’s Legacy
Ensign Elliott’s life and legacy continue to inspire both the military community and those dedicated to preventing impaired driving. At the U.S. Naval Academy, Elliott was named the Outstanding HERO of his graduating class for his leadership and service as a Human Education Resource Officer. The Academy also established the Capstone Leadership Seminars in his memory, providing practical lessons in moral and ethical leadership for graduating midshipmen.
John was laid to rest at the Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland, where he is remembered by his family, friends, and fellow officers. The Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange now stands as a permanent reminder of his life, his service, and the ongoing fight against impaired driving.
As motorists use the interchange to drive between Atlantic City and the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area, the Elliott family hopes it will remind them to make safe driving choices in honor of the life and service of John Elliott.
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