Fatal Manchester Crash Prompts Renewed Call For New Traffic Signal

MANCHESTER, NJ — After a crash on Friday that killed a Jackson Township man and left his passenger critically injured, Manchester Township officials are again asking Ocean County officials to review their request for a traffic signal on Commonwealth Boulevard.

The June 24 crash on Commonwealth Boulevard happened at the Northampton Boulevard intersection, Manchester police said. George Hruszczak, 70, of Jackson, had stopped at the stop sign on Northampton Boulevard, but started into the intersection and pulled into the path of a gray 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Hruszczak died at the scene, police said

Manchester Mayor Robert Hudak said he has sent a letter to Ocean County officials asking them to take a new look at the township's request for a traffic signal at the intersection.

"I have received renewed calls from many residents expressing their concerns with this intersection and the multiple dangers it has presented to passing motorists and pedestrians," Hudak wrote in the letter he posted to his social media pages.

Hudak said the council requested a signal at the intersection in 2020 because of "substantial safety concerns," but the county's response was a signal wasn't warranted.

"Since 2020, there have been an increase in traffic-related incidents at this intersection, which warrants some form of traffic calming improvements to be made on this roadway, he said.

"As a Pine Lake Park resident I have witnessed firsthand the danger of this intersection and along Commmonwealth Boulevard due to dangerous speeds and overgrowth of foliage that obstructs the view of drivers, Hudak said.

"I am renewing Manchester Township's call to action for this intersection to be evaluated for a traffic light as well as potential mitigation efforts such as lowering the speed limit on Commonwealth and maintaining the overgrowth of foliage," he said.