Pedestrian Dies, Another Seriously Injured In Morris County Crash Monday: Police

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Florham Park Police said one pedestrian is dead and another has serious injuries, after a driver struck them when they were crossing the road on Monday morning.

Officials are still investigating the collision, and according to state police records it is the 10th fatal crash in Morris County this year.

After receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls, officers arrived at the intersection of Ridgedale Avenue and Brooklake Road just after 11 a.m. and found two people who had been hit by a car, said a statement from borough police.

According to a preliminary investigation, police said the pedestrians were walking eastbound across Ridgedale Avenue when the driver, who was turning southbound onto Ridgedale from Brooklake Road, collided with them.

Police said both victims were taken to a local hospital with severe injuries, and one later died. The other person remains hospitalized.

The driver remained at the scene to speak with authorities and was not injured or taken into custody, according to Florham Park Police. Officials did impound the vehicle for further forensic analysis.

The Morris County Sheriff's Office also responded to help process the scene due to the severity of the injuries, police said. Ridgedale Avenue was closed between Brooklake Road and Keyes Street for about two hours following the crash.

Authorities have not released either pedestrian's identity, while they work to notify family members about what happened.

"However, we are truly saddened by the unnecessary loss of a community member today," police added in their statement Monday afternoon.

Officials are continuing to investigate the collision. Anyone who witnessed the crash, or who may have dash camera footage or surveillance video showing what happened, is asked to contact Lt. Dan Bundschuh in the Florham Park PD Traffic Bureau at 973-410-5375.

Borough police had recently shared information about pedestrian safety and crossing signals, and on Monday officials again encouraged both drivers and pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings when going through intersections and crossings.

"Pedestrians need to be fully aware of their surroundings while crossing our streets, and drivers, please! watch your surroundings as well especially when turning," police said. "The damage a several-thousand pound vehicle can cause an individual is devastating. And, as we are forced to see, our actions and inactions while on our roadways in any capacity can prove fatal."

A total of six drivers and four pedestrians have died in collisions on Morris County roadways between Feb. 6 and July 1, state police data shows. Across the state, there have been 299 fatal crashes and 313 fatalities so far in 2024.

This story has been updated to clarify state police crash statistics.