No Charges Expected in McCune Death

It’s likely no charges will be filed in the death of 55-year-old Doug McCune of Princeton, who died on Saturday after his bicycle collided with a stopped vehicle in Clinton Township.

McCune was on the final leg of the weeklong 33rd Annual Anchor House Ride for Runaways, a 500-mile ride he participated in since 1994.

“Our investigation, though active, indicates that this matter is just a tragic accident, said Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III said in a release. “At this time we don’t anticipate that this investigation will result in any charges.

“Our hearts go out to Mr. Douglas McCune’s family, friends and associates. He was riding in a charity event, and doing what he loved.”

The Anchor House Ride for Runaways is a fundraiser for the Trenton shelter for runaway, abused and neglected children and teens. 

McCune was riding along Payne Road, just past the intersection of Route 31, when he struck the back of an SUV just after 9 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Hunterdon County Medical Examiner on Monday ruled that McCune died from a head injury after he ran into the vehicle, which was waiting to turn left into a gas station.  

A mathematician and scientist, McCune was the co-head of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s computational plasma physics group where he developed code and software for fusion experiments.

He was also one of the top fundraisers for the annual Anchor House ride, according friend and fellow rider Tim Quinn.

The Anchor House Ride’s traditional celebration was cancelled this year. Instead, the riders met their family and friends wearing black armbands in honor of McCune.

They held a moment of silence and dedicated this year’s ride to McCune.

See Also: Friends, Fellow Anchor House Riders Remember and Honor Doug McCune