Pedestrian killed in Pennsauken was musician known as Hipstar

By Darran Simon, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: August 17, 2012

A 31-year-old pedestrian killed Tuesday night when he was hit on Route 130 in Pennsauken was a local musician who performed under the name Hipstar.

Branden K. Johnson died at the scene when at least one vehicle, and possibly three, struck him around 11:10 p.m., Pennsauken Police Sgt. Chris Sulzbach said.

Johnson was hit in the left northbound lane at the Drexel Avenue intersection.

It was unclear why Johnson, a township resident, was in the road. Sulzbach said authorities had yet to determine whether Johnson was walking or standing.

"We don't think he was crossing at the time," Sulzbach said.

The drivers had the green light and all stopped after the accident, Sulzbach said, adding that speed was not a factor.

Johnson's Facebook page lists Hipstar as his stage name. Friends and fans flooded the page with messages of condolences.

"I can't be lost for words when it comes to HIP!! There is a couple that come to mind [though] . . . Like Talented, Determined, Comical and Educated," one wrote. "All I can say now is HIP is giving best performance Ever on the Biggest Stage we could imagine and the club is heaven and the promoter is god," he wrote.

According to his Facebook page, Johnson was a graduate of Pennsauken High School and the Prism Career Institute in Upper Darby.

Authorities ask anyone with information on the accident to call Sulzbach at 856-488-0080, Ext. 2300.

Contact Darran Simon at 856-779-3829, dsimon@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @darransimon.