Elise Bastardo, 24, grew up in Wall Township and attended Rutgers University
The Port Authority police officer who died Friday following a single-car crash earlier this month will be laid to rest Thursday.
Elise Bastardo, 24, a Red Bank native who grew up in Wall Township, worked as an officer at Newark Liberty International Airport. She was seriously injured in an off-duty crash in Plumsted on Feb. 6.
A family photo of Elise Bastardo, 24, a Port Authority police officer since 2013. Bastardo was a graduate of Wall Township High School and was selected to the all-state field hockey team in 2009, according to her obituary. She attended Rutgers University before enrolling in the Port Authority Police Academy in 2013.
"It's yet another sad day for the Port Authority family as we deal with the passing of PO Elise Bastardo," the Port Authority Police Marine Corps Association wrote on Facebook. "On behalf of the members of the Marine Corps Association, we send our thoughts and prayers to the family during this extremely difficult time."
In her obituary, family members called Bastardo an adventurous woman who "enjoyed living life to its fullest each and every day, and inspired others to follow in her footsteps."
"Even in her death Elise's generous nature will touch the lives of those that she helped through the donation of her organs through the Sharing Network," the family wrote.
Bastardo was driving east on Archertown Road in Plumsted Feb. 6 when her Jeep ran off the road, struck a utility pole and overturned, police said. Authorities have not released additional details about the crash.
Bastardo's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Denis Church, 90 Union Ave., in Manasquan. Visitation will be held Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Orender Family Home, 2643 Old Bridge Road, in Manasquan.
Mark Mueller may be reached at mmueller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkJMueller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.