Fire Chief's Funeral Drawing Large Crowd In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Funeral services are being held Monday for Brian Flanagan, the chief of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company who was killed in a hit-and-run on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Drivers should expect heavier traffic and delays along Ridgeway Road Monday afternoon as the public viewing and the funeral services are being held at Oliverie Funeral Home, 2925 Ridgeway Road.

There is a courtesy shuttle and parking at Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 2484 Ridgeway Road, authorities said.

"Fire apparatus are requested to park at the fire station and utilize the shuttle service," officials said.

The viewing was being held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the Firefighter Funeral Service from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. A line of those waiting to pay respects wrapped around the building, a witness told Patch.

Flanagan, 47, suffered fatal injuries when a GMC SUV drove into a construction zone at milepost 87.7 on the outer roadway southbound on the turnpike in Edison at 3:52 a.m. on Oct. 13, New Jersey State Police said.

The construction zone was marked and two lanes were closed when Anthony Bernardi, 40, of Edison, drove into it. He left the scene and was later arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash with fatal injuries, authorities said. He told police he had been drinking alcohol before driving and getting into the crash.

Multiple tributes have been posted honoring Flanagan, from other fire companies to Manchester Township officials.

"We encourage our community to join us in honoring Chief Flanagan’s life and many years of dedicated service," Manchester officials said.