2016 Saw Increase in South Brunswick Fatal Crashes

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - South Brunswick police released all crash data from Township roadways on Friday, and, unfortunately, 2016 saw an increase in fatal crashes. Not only was there a spike in fatal crashes compared to last year, but this year also saw the highest number of fatalities in the past five years, Capt. James Ryan said.

“As the roadways get more congested it is critical that drivers pay attention," said Chief Raymond Hayducka. "It only takes a split second to look away for disaster to happen."

In an especially tragic New Year's Day crash, a 13-year-old girl was killed after her brother looked down at his phone for directions while crossing Rt. 1 at Deans Lane. He accidentally drove through a red light and they were hit by an oncoming minivan.

In fact, after analyzing how all the fatal accidents occurred, police determined that the most common factor was drivers disregarding a traffic signal, such as a red light.

“Motorists need to avoid distractions and stop at red traffic signals," Traffic Sergeant Gary Holsten said.

Five people total were killed in crashes on South Brunswick roadways this past year. The data released comes just one day after a 76-year-old woman was struck and killed by a car Wednesday on Rt. 1 at Finnegans Lane, on the North Brunswick side of the roadway.

The fatal crashes took place on the following dates in 2016:

January 1, 2016 - A 13-year-old girl died in two-vehicle crash on Rt. 1/Deans Lane. The car was driven by her brother, a Toms River young man who looked down at his cell phone for directions and drove through a red light while crossing Rt. 1. He was using an app that gave voice directions, but he either dropped the phone and bent to pick it up, or looked down at it for just a second, police said. In that instant, the car was hit by an oncoming minivan. Out of eight people total in both cars, the young girl was the only one to die.

April 16, 2016 - A 26-year-old man died in a crash on Rt. 535. It happened at 3:30 a.m.; the Infiniti he was driving was headed north on Cranbury-South River Road when it left the roadway, struck a grass hill, became airborne and overturned. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

June 16, 2016 - A 65-year-old woman died after being struck by vehicle at Rt. 1/Deans Lane. The woman was walking across the northbound lanes of Rt. 1 at 9:56 p.m. when she was struck by a 30-year-old Piscataway man. The driver remained at the scene and no charges were filed.

September 27, 2016 - A 96-year-old man died in two-vehicle crash on Rt. 535/Rt. 32. The Monroe Township man was in a car driven by his son, and the car was attempting to make a lefthand turn when it was hit by an oncoming vehicle on Rt. 535.

November 8, 2016 - A 29-year-old male died after the SUV he was driving was hit by a truck at Rt. 1 and Raymond Road. The tractor trailer was driven by a Texas man and was headed north on Rt. 1. At 9:22 p.m. on Nov. 8, the tractor trailer failed to stop at a red traffic signal, swerved and struck a 2016 Ford Transit Connect that was crossing over Rt. 1 at Raymond Road. The driver of the Ford, John Jermill Williams, 29 of Hampton, Georgia was killed in the crash. A front seat passenger, a 17-year-old male from Philadelphia, was hospitalized for two weeks but ultimately recovered from his injuries. The Texas truck driver was charged with reckless driving, careless driving, failure to observe traffic lights and unsafe lane change. However, those are motor vehicle offenses, which carry a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail.

The total number of all crashes, non-fatal included, in South Brunswick remains consistent for the past several years at nearly 2,500.

The police share the crash data so the public is aware of the dangers, Chief Hayducka said. South Brunswick police provide education in the schools, talking to students about the dangers of unsafe driving, and police address complaints and problem areas.

“Working together we can all improve the safety of our roadways,” said Chief Hayducka.