RED BANK – Borough resident Virgelina Cano, 78, died Sunday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, from the injuries she sustained while stuck by a vehicle crossing the street in the vicinity of Foodtown supermarket, 362 Broad St., last Tuesday.
The incident remains under borough and county investigation, police said. No charges have been filed.
That section of Broad, south of Wikoff Place heading to the County Route 520 intersection at the NJ Transit rail crossing has long been problematic, police and of ficials acknowledged, given the number of ingress and egress opportunities, area businesses and heavy traffic flow in the immediate area. In fact, one Broad Street resident, Alfonso Tomaino, 95, was struck by a vehicle a few months ago – his second time.
In this case, while the investigation is continuing, Police Chief Darren McConnell said last week
“This lady, from all indications, was in the right,” walking in the designated crosswalk.
“This woman is a victim, no question about it,” Menna added.
The mayor said he is open to suggestions about what to do about pedestrian safety.
The Monmouth County Engineer is conducting a post-crash review of that intersection at the southern end of Broad Street, according to county spokeswoman Laura Kirkpatrick. That review includes looking at crash history, current signage, pavement markings and other roadway conditions, Kirkpatrick said.
The Two River Times has undertaken a campaign, called Crossroads, where the newspaper hosts editorial boards with state, county, local officials, members of law enforcement, educators and other stakeholders, maintaining a dialogue and encouraging solutions to pedestrian and cyclist safety. An emergency meeting will be convened July 20 of that group.
Police have increased enforcement patrols in part because of their participation in Crossroads and with support from annual state-financed traffic safety programs.
Police Chief Darren McConnell detailed that motor vehicle moving violations have increased for year-to-date for 2015 over the same period last year. This year the number is 2,300 as opposed to last year’s 1,700. For May, there were 467 moving violations given out to motorists in the borough, McConnell said.
For pedestrians, officers have been less inclined to issues tickets; they have been offering warnings and distributing educational literature.
Police and the mayor said a review of that intersection appears to be warranted. McConnell said a traffic signal light would likely offer the best results.
But traffic signals need state Department of Transportation (DOT) approval—at best a lengthy, difficult process and an expensive one.
Menna said, “Quite frankly I’d like to get lights at 10 intersections in town,” if he could get them.
Menna said what had been under consideration at one point—but maybe should be thought about again—is making that section of Broad one-way.
But any changes would require county approval. And first, “We would have to an internal meeting,” involving police, area property owners and officials.
The mayor planned to organize the meeting.
State Senator Jennifer Beck met with DOT Commissioner Jamie Fox, about the Route 35 corridor through the borough. Improvements will be made as the state repairs the highway from Ocean Township to the Coopers Bridge, according to Michael Hughes, Beck’s chief of staff.
– By John Burton
