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A Marine who survived nine months in Afghanistan without a scratch was killed by a car as he darted across 12th Avenue frantically trying to make his curfew early yesterday, sources said.
Cpl. Steven Jorgenson — in town for Fleet Week and dressed in full uniform — was minutes away from his 1 a.m. check-in when he exited a cab at West 49th Street with several other Marines and sprinted toward the Hudson, where the USS Iwo Jima was docked.
“I figured if he made it through Afghanistan, he would be all right,” Jorgenson’s heartbroken father, Charles, told The Post.
The 22-year-old Jorgenson, who grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, had joined the Air Force after graduating high school as an honors student. But he wanted more of a challenge.
“It wasn’t enough excitement for him,” his dad said. “He fit into the Marines like a glove, like a perfect shoe. He was going to make a career out of it.
“He was a strong kid and grew up just loving life.”
Cops said Jorgenson had just left a cab with other Marines when he was struck by a southbound Acura. He died instantly. None of his buddies was hurt.
Driver Daniel Pascal, of The Bronx, pulled over a block away and called 911 at 12:52 a.m., eight minutes before the Marine’s deadline. Pascal wasn’t charged with any wrongdoing.
Punishment for missing curfew can range from a minor reprimand to a court-martial. “It would depend why the Marine was late,” said Capt. Robert Shuford, a Marine spokesman.
The Marine had a lot to look forward to. He was engaged to “a wonderful girl” and was going to be married next year, his dad said.
It was Jorgenson’s first trip to New York.
His grandfather Terrance Jorgenson described the Marine as “a pussycat with a great big growl.”
He said his grandson was about to start dangerous training to learn how to dismantle IEDs, or improvised explosive devices.
“He joined the Marines, and he loved it. He had many friends in the Marines, and he was very proud,” the grandfather said.
Jorgenson’s fellow Marines were broken up about their friend’s death.
“He’s a real awesome guy,” Keith Hamilton said.
“He’s going to be missed.”
Mayor Bloomberg led a moment of silence for Jorgenson at Gracie Mansion.
“Our prayers are with him,” the mayor said.
“Somebody who was devoting his life to protecting all of us is no longer with us.”
Additional reporting by John Doyle and Vinita Singla