Dangerous Route 9 Crossing Now Has A Traffic Light

BAYVILLE, NJ - Denise Iesals and Nelson Negron Jr. were both trying to cross Route 9 at the intersection with Frederick Drive within the crosswalk when they were both hit by a motorist who later told police he had become distracted before he struck the two pedestrians.

Iesals, 49, died just minutes after she was hit in December 2015. Negron, 51, had to be airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The driver, a Dominos Pizza delivery man, said he had looked down to count his tips when the accident occurred, authorities have said.

Several years earlier, three women were seriously injured when they were struck by a pickup truck while when they tried to cross Route 9 at the intersection. All three women had to be airlifted to Jersey Shore.

It took a death, many accidents and multiple petitions from township officials to the state Department of Transportation, but there's finally an operating traffic light at the intersection of Route 9 and Frederick Drive.

"I'm pleased that this light has finally come to fruition," Mayor Carmen F. Amato said. "It was desperately needed in that location for a number of reasons, the main reason being pedestrian safety. "Residents and the motoring public should be patient as the New Jersey State Department of Transportation works out the timing of the light. I want to thank everyone at state level for their assistance."

The light was slated to blink yellow for several days before becoming fully operational, Amato and Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Photos: Courtesy of Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. and Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele

Subscribe