87-Year Old Hazlet Resident Struck, Killed Crossing Rt. 35

HAZLET, NJ - A pedestrian was struck and killed while attempting to cross Route 35 in Hazlet on Sunday, authorities said.

The pedestrian, 87-year-old Guofang Hu, was struck by a vehicle around 10:30 a.m. while crossing the main road near Home Depot. Responding officers found the pedestrian unconscious and not breathing. Hu was transported by ambulance to Bayshore Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:35 a.m.

"The victim appeared to be crossing from the southbound to northbound side of State Highway 35, near Bedle Road, when he was struck by a 2004 Blue Honda Civic in the southbound lanes," Deputy Chief Robert Mulligan told Patch. "There is no cross walk in the area where the crash occurred."

Two lanes of Route 35 were closed for several hours while authorities conducted an investigation. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) issued a statement at 11:27 a.m. alerting motorists that all Rt. 35 southbound lanes were closed at CR 4/Holmdel Road/Main Street due to the crash investigation.

By 2:25 p.m., Hazlet police announced that all lanes were reopened.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, Mulligan said. It remains to be seen whether or not the driver will be charged with any criminal or motor vehicle violations.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Det. Steven Venticinque at (732) 264-6565.