Scotch Plains Car Accident Victim Was On Daily Walk In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Police Department said this week that James Reid, 74, from Parlin was ticketed in a car accident last Friday in which John Cregg, 87, of Scotch Plains, was killed while crossing a Westfield intersection.

An obituary for Cregg said that he was struck while "out for a daily walk."

Westfield Police Sgt. Michael Walsh said Thursday that police issued summonses to Reid for careless driving, failure to observe a traffic control device, and failure to yield right of way to a pedestrian.

Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro had said Friday that Cregg was struck at approximately 12:52 p.m. while crossing West South Avenue at the intersection of North Scotch Plains Avenue.

Cregg was conscious and alert upon police arrival at the scene, according to Battiloro, but had sustained significant injuries.

He was transported to University Hospital in Newark by the Westfield Rescue Squad and Atlantic Health System paramedics. He subsequently passed away.

Friends and relatives of "Jake" Cregg posted about him on a Fanwood funeral home's memorial page, many praising his kindness.

"He was one of the kindest people we have been honored enough to know," wrote one mourner.

A short viewing was to be held on Thursday because of coronavirus restrictions, with a memorial at a later date.

The obituary said Cregg was a conductor for the New York City Transit Authority until 1995. He was born in Brooklyn and had five children with his late first wife. He is survived by wife Mary Beth. He was a parishioner of Immaculate Heart Of Mary Church and sang in the choir.

The accident remains under investigation, Walsh said, and a final report has not yet been made.

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