Italian restaurant owner killed in car crash outside his Mount Laurel business

MOUNT LAUREL – A local restaurant owner was killed Saturday night in a motor vehicle accident, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Glenn R. Keen, 52, was involved in an accident in front of his popular Cucina Carini restaurant at 1373 Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road.

In its first public release of preliminary information Wednesday afternoon, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office said Keen was leaving the restaurant parking lot shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday when his vehicle was broadsided by an oncoming car.

“He was airlifted to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he died later that evening,” the statement said.

The other driver was taken by ambulance to Cooper University Hospital in Camden with non-life-threatening injuries.

No charges have been filed at this stage of the ongoing investigation, according to the statement.

The Keen family has declined comment on his death. They posted his obituary on the Facebook page of Cucina Carini earlier this week.

Keen opened the restaurant in 1995 with wife Paula Balsamo Carini — the same year they were married. He was born in Camden but later was a 1988 graduate of Lenape High School.

“The township and council are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Keen and send condolences to the family,” deputy township manager Brandon Shillingford said in a brief statement Wednesday.

Many of the restaurant’s customers posted comments on the restaurant’s Facebook page about Keen’s outgoing personality and his perpetual smile with which he greeted everyone.

Keen is survived by wife Paula; sons Vincenzo and Anthony; his parents, Reynolds and Barbara Keen; brother Gary Keen and his wife Diane; five nieces, three nephews; mother-in-law Angela Balsamo and other members of her family.

A funeral mass for Keen will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church, 103 4th Street in Riverton. Friends also may call from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park In Cinnaminson.

Funeral arrangements are  under the direction of Givnish Funeral Homes, which has three locations in Burlington County.  

This story may be updated.