Fate Of Sign Honoring Woodbridge Teen Killed By Speeding Is Unclear

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The removal of a well-known sign on Rt. 9 in Woodbridge warning drivers about the dangers of speeding — featuring a beautiful Colonia teen who died in a car crash at the age of 16 — has sparked a passionate debate among Patch readers:

Some say the Dept. of Transportation should not have taken down the sign, and that the girl's family is spreading a very powerful message about speeding — particularly in a state like New Jersey, known for aggressive and reckless drivers.

But others point out that it is technically illegal to simply erect a sign on the side of the road.

"Sad story and the sign was meant to do good ... but anybody who loses a loved one isn't just allowed to put up a sign with a giant picture of their loved one," wrote one Patch reader. "Public roads aren't memorial sites."

The state Department of Transportation maintains Jennifer Metzger's sign had to be moved because of roadwork currently underway on that stretch of Rt. 9:

"The work is part of a $9.2 million state-funded maintenance project to make roadway repairs on Rt. 27, Rt. 9 and other roads in Middlesex County," said a DOT spokeswoman. "The work includes upgrading inlets and curbs, adding rumble strips and milling and paving. The project is expected to be completed in the fall 2022."

But the DOT did not immediately answer when Patch asked if Jennifer's sign could be put back once the work is done.

The crash occurred May 14, 2009 on Rt. 9 near the Woodbridge Main Street overpass. Jennifer was a passenger, and the 18-year-old driver was speeding, lost control and struck a guardrail and a tree, according to NJ.com. Jennifer was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jennifer's mother, Lisa Metzger, has maintained the sign for more than a decade and said she is "heartbroken" by the DOT's decision. She said she truly just wants to warn other drivers, especially parents of teens, just how dangerous speeding can be.

Once he heard of this situation, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac stepped in and now says new signs bearing Jennifer's photo will be put up at all three Woodbridge high schools, including Colonia High School, where Jennifer was a cheerleader.

Metzger said she is grateful for this, but she still will be fighting to return the sign to Rt. 9. She said when she first put it up years ago she had verbal permission from the Department of Transportation. The DOT called her on Aug. 25 of this year and said the sign was coming down.

Original Patch report: Sign Honoring Late Woodbridge Teen Taken Down By State; Mother Speaks (Sept. 14)