11 Car Crashes on Same Quarter-Mile Stretch in Long Valley in 2014

It’s known by locals as Big Turn, but could easily have its name changed to Big Mess.

It’s where tractor-trailers go to stall, and out-of-towners grow weary because of its curves and slope.

One small stretch of Schooley’s Mountain Road, much of which was recently paved by Morris County, has seen a total of 11 car crashes in 2014 alone. Those crashes all occurred between Camp Washington Road and Big Turn, or the sharp angle just north of the Washington Township Municipal Building.

According to information presented by the Washington Township Police Department for Patch’s report, 10 of the 11 crashes occurred when either wet or icy conditions were present. Other than that one contributing factor, the time of day varied greatly and the crashes included six single-car incidents and five two-car incidents.

Their dates, conditions, and times are as follows:

• Jan. 5: 1:47 a.m.; single car crash into rock wall; icy conditions
• April 29: 4:28 p.m.; single car crash into rock wall; dry conditions
• May 1: 7:40 a.m.; two-car crash; wet conditions
• May 27: 4:30 p.m.; two-car crash; wet conditions
• June 5: 10:34 a.m.; two-car crash; wet conditions
• June 12: 8:24 a.m.; single car crash; wet conditions
• July 26: 10:51 a.m.; single car crash; wet conditions
• Sept. 16: 8:58 a.m.; two-car crash; wet conditions
• Oct. 4: 12:32 p.m.; single car crash; wet conditions
• Oct. 11: 1:42 p.m.; single car crash; wet conditions
• Oct. 14: 8:26 a.m.; two-car crash; wet conditions

Depending on the severity of the crash, in most cases the roadway needs to be shutdown and detour drivers to the eastern portion of the township. That section of roadway was resurfaced in 2012 when the guardrail was replaced.

Eleven crashes in less than 10 months is abnormal, according to Lt. Mark Niemynski, who said the figure seems high compared to other years.

The township is working with the county, Niemynski said, on trying to have some kind of surfacing change to the roadway that can slow motorists. None of this year’s crashes have resulted in fatalities. 

Do you drive on Schooley’s Mountain Road? Are you worried when you do? Do you avoid it? Tell us in the comments.

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