New Jersey remembers West Point cadet killed in truck crash

New Jersey is remembering and honoring a cadet from West Orange cadet killed in a vehicle rollover during a training exercise at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point earlier this month.

News 12 Staff

Jun 11, 2019, 10:31 PM

Updated 1,785 days ago

Share:

New Jersey is remembering and honoring a cadet from West Orange cadet killed in a vehicle rollover during a training exercise at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point earlier this month.
Flags will fly at half-staff in the state to honor Christopher “CJ” Morgan. Gov. Phil Murphy issued an executive order directing that flags be lowered Wednesday to honor Morgan. Murphy said Morgan "represented the best of New Jersey and this nation."
A vigil was held Tuesday night at West Orange High School where Morgan was a star wrestler.
Morgan died Thursday when a tactical vehicle carrying cadets overturned in wooded terrain. Nineteen cadets and two soldiers operating the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Morgan was set to graduate from the academy next year. His father Christopher Morgan Sr. says that his son was thinking about becoming an Army Ranger and then getting into law.
"We’re all so very grateful. We are grateful for the opportunity to have had him as a son. We are grateful for the friends and family who surrounded us and helped shape him through the formative years,” Morgan Sr. said.
Hundreds of people gathered in the West Orange High School auditorium to pay their respects to Morgan. Many said that he would light up a room with his smile and laugh.
"The type of person who never had a bad word about anyone and he had a smile like the moon," said West Orange High School athletic director Ronald Bligh. "Everyone was touched by that smile."
A funeral for Morgan will be held Saturday at West Point.


More from News 12
0:59
Police: 7 people injured after NJ Transit bus crashes into ditch in Woodbridge

Police: 7 people injured after NJ Transit bus crashes into ditch in Woodbridge

2:30
STORM WATCH: Tracking evening thunderstorms expected to impact New Jersey

STORM WATCH: Tracking evening thunderstorms expected to impact New Jersey

4:01
Trial begins for Barnegat man accused of killing 6-year-old son through abuse

Trial begins for Barnegat man accused of killing 6-year-old son through abuse

1:07
News 12’s Walt Kane participates in panel discussion about bill to restrict public records

News 12’s Walt Kane participates in panel discussion about bill to restrict public records

1:34
Looking to complain about the smelly Tinton Falls landfill? There's a number for that

Looking to complain about the smelly Tinton Falls landfill? There's a number for that

0:23
Prosecutor: Man charged in deadly shooting of ex-Rutgers football player in Hoboken

Prosecutor: Man charged in deadly shooting of ex-Rutgers football player in Hoboken

0:50
Jersey Proud: Volunteers ride stationary bikes to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network

Jersey Proud: Volunteers ride stationary bikes to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network

0:17
Hopatcong police investigate alleged antisemitic incidents in town

Hopatcong police investigate alleged antisemitic incidents in town

0:18
WATCH: Boaters help rescue another boater whose vessel capsized near Little Egg Harbor

WATCH: Boaters help rescue another boater whose vessel capsized near Little Egg Harbor

0:54
Officials: Rabid raccoon found in East Brunswick neighborhood, 2nd rabid animal this year

Officials: Rabid raccoon found in East Brunswick neighborhood, 2nd rabid animal this year

2:29
13 students arrested for trespassing amid pro-Palestinian protest at Princeton University

13 students arrested for trespassing amid pro-Palestinian protest at Princeton University

1:58
New Jersey Transit police officers save life of 3-year-old

New Jersey Transit police officers save life of 3-year-old

1:42
Police: Several homes evacuated in Bridgewater due to gas leak

Police: Several homes evacuated in Bridgewater due to gas leak

0:27
Authorities identify man killed in Jersey City shooting

Authorities identify man killed in Jersey City shooting

0:51
Casino worker unions clash over proposed smoking ban

Casino worker unions clash over proposed smoking ban

0:49
Brian Lora, Passaic police officer and relative of mayor, dies at 29

Brian Lora, Passaic police officer and relative of mayor, dies at 29

0:34
Police: Grandfather, 6-month-old grandson killed by fallen tree in Verona

Police: Grandfather, 6-month-old grandson killed by fallen tree in Verona

New Jersey seeks fourth round of offshore wind farm proposals as foes push back

New Jersey seeks fourth round of offshore wind farm proposals as foes push back

0:43
Repairs underway at Cedar Grove pharmacy where tractor-trailer crashed into building

Repairs underway at Cedar Grove pharmacy where tractor-trailer crashed into building

0:27
Recall alert: Over 80,000 pounds of prosciutto recalled from Lincoln Park firm

Recall alert: Over 80,000 pounds of prosciutto recalled from Lincoln Park firm