Woman Killed in Haddon Township Bicycle Crash
Bicyclists and motorists alike need to be careful when crossing intersections. Motorists do not always look for pedestrians and bike riders, and crashes can be fatal.
Sadly, this was recently the case in New Jersey. A woman was killed while crossing an intersection in Haddon Township. The fatal crash occurred just after noon on April 1.
The 61-year-old woman was crossing Cuthbert Boulevard in the 300 block of South Park Drive when she was hit by a work truck towing a backhoe. The truck was attempting to make a right turn onto Cuthbert Boulevard when the driver hit the woman.
The woman showed some signs of responsiveness immediately after the impact. However, she was transported to a local hospital, where she later died.
The woman’s death marked the second pedestrian fatality in New Jersey within a three-day span. On March 30, a man from Camden was also killed after being struck by two vehicles.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of the crash. Many details remain unclear.
What Could Make This Intersection Safer?
The crash highlights the dangers posed by large vehicles making right turns, especially in areas with mixed pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Bicyclist safety is a growing concern, especially in areas where roads were not designed with cyclists in mind. Common dangers include:
- Right-turn conflicts: Drivers turning right may not see cyclists traveling straight alongside them.
- Limited visibility: Large vehicles like trucks and SUVs have significant blind spots.
- Poor infrastructure: Missing bike lanes, faded markings, or disconnected trails force cyclists into traffic.
- Speed differences: Faster-moving vehicles increase the severity of collisions.
South Park Drive is a residential road that runs alongside the Cooper River Trail, which sees heavy use by pedestrians and cyclists. However, the intersection itself lacks pedestrian- and bike-friendly design features. Despite a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour, there are no shoulders, and the trail becomes disconnected at the crossing.
Both South Park Drive and Cuthbert Boulevard are maintained by Camden County. From 2017 to 2021, Cuthbert Boulevard saw multiple pedestrian and bicycle crashes, while South Park Drive also experienced bicycle-related incidents.
Cuthbert Boulevard transitions from a higher-speed roadway with a median, guardrails, and a 40 mile per hour speed limit north of South Park Drive to a 25 mile per hour residential road after the intersection. This is concerning, as the abrupt change may contribute to inconsistent driver behavior and increased risk.
Because the crossing connects to a regional trail, clearer and more visible markings, such as a designated pedestrian and bicycle crossing, would be helpful. This change could help better define the space and reduce the likelihood of future tragedies.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Intersections can be complex. There may be vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles coming from all directions. Who has the right of way? Are you following traffic laws and signals?
A Morristown bicycle accident attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can assist you with your case. We have extensive experience serving injured cyclists across New Jersey. To schedule a consultation with our office, call (973) 455-1567 or fill out the online form.
Source:
bicyclecoalition.org/susan-white-scalia-killed-after-being-struck-by-a-truck-driver-turning-right/
