Sign Honoring Late Woodbridge Teen Taken Down By State; Mother Speaks

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Up until this month, this sign was up for years on the side of Rt. 9 in Woodbridge, telling drivers about the tragic death of a 16-year-old Colonia girl due to speeding.

In early September, it was taken down by the NJ Department of Transportation so they can do upcoming road work along that stretch of Rt. 9, according to Lisa Metzger, the mother of the late teen, and who still lives in Woodbridge.

The still-grieving mother said she was at first "heartbroken" by the DOT's decision.

And now, it is only after hundreds of people heard the sign was being moved — and organized a viral Facebook campaign — that new signs bearing her daughter's photo will be put up at all three Woodbridge high schools.

"Yesterday after my interview with Pat Battle from Channel 4, the Mayor of Woodbridge sent me a private message on Facebook, and we exchanged phone numbers. We spoke for quite some time, he even texted me through the night," said Metzger. "He apologized for not reaching out sooner as he was finalizing something to propose to us."

She said the "Speed Kills" sign will not be going back up on Rt. 9 — at least for now — but two signs will be put up at Colonia High School (where her daughter was a student and cheerleader), two at Woodbridge High School and two at JFK High School.

"It is better than NO sign at all is how I look at it," said the mom.

The sign shows a photo of Jennifer Metzger, who was killed in a speeding car crash when she was 16. The crash occurred May 14, 2009 on Rt. 9 near the Woodbridge Main Street overpass. The teenage girl was a passenger in the car, 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.

"When we originally put the sign up about 12 or so years ago we had verbal permission," Metzger told Patch. "When I received the call from the NJDOT on August 25, he asked if I had a permit as the sign is an advertisement and it's illegal. I told him we are not advertising anything and no one told us we needed a permit. I asked if I could apply for one and he said I can, but I probably would not get one."

Metzger said the DOT employee told her someone from Woodbridge complained about the sign.

"I don't know who or what to believe," she said. "So here we sit. Sign down, waiting to meet with the Mayor next week in regards to new signs by the three Township high schools."

"There are other things he proposed for Colonia High, seeing that is where Jennifer went to high school." she added. "More details to follow. I will be meeting with (McCormac) personally within the next few weeks to discuss wording of the signs."

"I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the love for Jennifer, our mission and our sign."