EDGEWATER PARK TOWNSHIP, Burlington County, N.J., Sept. 20, 2026 — A pedestrian died on Sunday morning, September 20, after being struck by a vehicle on Route 130 South at Pennypacker Drive in Edgewater Park Township, according to authorities.
Police identified the pedestrian as Welther Briggs, 51, of Willingboro, New Jersey. Unfortunately, Briggs died as a result of the collision.
The circumstances of the crash have not been released and remain under investigation. It is not yet known what led up to the collision or whether any charges are expected.
The Edgewater Park Township Police Department is working the case with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit. Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or saw anything in the area around the time it happened to contact Detective Chad Haney at 609-877-4404 or by email at [email protected].
Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
Where Pedestrian Crashes Tend to Cluster on Roads Like Route 130
Multi-lane state highways with heavy traffic and long blocks between marked crossings tend to produce more pedestrian crashes than local streets. Roads built for higher speeds often carry wide lanes and long sightlines that encourage faster driving, even where homes, bus stops, or shopping centers sit close to the curb.
Intersections without signals or with limited pedestrian signal timing are a particular problem. Someone crossing a road like this may have to cover several lanes of traffic in one movement, with no protected phase, while vehicles turn or merge from side streets and driveways.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 24 percent of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were struck by hit-and-run drivers in 2023. That figure points to how often the driver leaves the scene in these crashes, complicating the picture for investigators trying to piece together what happened on stretches of road built more for moving cars than for people on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can drivers do to avoid hitting someone on foot?
Slowing down near intersections and driveways, scanning both sides of the road before turning, and avoiding distractions give drivers more time to spot and react to someone crossing the road.
What injuries commonly result from pedestrian crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles often suffer broken bones, head and spinal injuries, and internal injuries. The severity typically depends on the vehicle's speed and the location of the impact.
What usually causes these crashes?
Common factors include driver distraction, failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections, poor visibility at night, and speeding. Investigators look at all of these when reconstructing a crash.
Does speed change a pedestrian's chances of survival?
Yes. Research shows survival rates drop sharply as vehicle speed increases at the moment of impact, which is why speed limits and enforcement near crossings matter.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Edgewater Park Township, NJ
Anyone involved in or who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so first responders can reach the scene. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is important, since some injuries do not show symptoms right away.
Witnesses can help investigators by noting details such as vehicle description, direction of travel, and the time of the incident. If you saw what happened in Edgewater Park Township or have information that could help, contacting the police department directly is the most useful step you can take.
Filing a report with local police and keeping any documentation from medical visits can also help if questions about the crash come up later.
