GREEN BROOK TOWNSHIP, Somerset County, N.J., Oct. 13, 2026 — A pedestrian died after being struck on Route 22 West in Green Brook Township on Sunday night, October 11, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. The victim was pronounced dead the following day at a trauma center.
Green Brook Township police officers responded to Route 22 West near King George Road around 8:52 p.m. for a report of a crash involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to a nearby trauma center with injuries and died Monday, October 12, officials said.
No identifying information about the victim has been released. Details about the vehicle involved, including whether its driver stayed at the scene, have not been made public.
The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said the investigation is ongoing and is awaiting findings from a collision reconstruction team and a post-mortem exam conducted by the Northern Regional Medical Examiner's Office. No charges have been announced. Investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
What Actually Reduces Pedestrian Deaths on Roads Like Route 22
Engineers who study corridors such as Route 22, wide, multi-lane highways that cut through developed towns, point to a handful of changes that reliably cut pedestrian deaths: raised medians that give people a place to pause mid-crossing, pedestrian-scale lighting, signal timing that gives walkers a head start before turning traffic moves, and marked crossings placed where people actually cross rather than where it's convenient to install them. Roundabouts, where used in place of high-speed signalized intersections, have also been shown to lower the odds of a severe pedestrian strike because they force vehicles to slow down.
Speed is the variable that matters most once a crash is already happening. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 20 mph has a much better chance of survival than one struck at 40 mph; each additional increment of speed sharply raises the odds of death rather than injury. That's why lower posted limits, narrower travel lanes, and physical features that make speeding uncomfortable, like curb extensions or medians, tend to save lives even when they don't prevent every crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian deaths accounted for 18 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023. That share has prompted more states and counties to treat road design, not just driver behavior, as a lever to prevent these deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a pedestrian do immediately after being hit by a car?
Call 911 or ask a bystander to call right away, even if injuries seem minor. Try not to move unless you're in immediate danger, since some injuries, like internal bleeding or spinal damage, aren't obvious right away. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses if you're able.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In New Jersey and most states, pedestrians have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks once they've entered the roadway. Drivers are required to stop and stay stopped until the pedestrian has fully crossed.
What can drivers do to avoid hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections and crosswalks, scanning both sides of the road before turning, and avoiding phone use while driving all reduce reaction-time failures, which are a common factor in these crashes.
What injuries are most common when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle?
Common injuries include fractures, head and brain trauma, spinal injuries, and internal bleeding. Severity often depends heavily on the vehicle's speed at impact.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Green Brook Township, NJ
Anyone involved in or a witness to a pedestrian crash in Green Brook Township should contact local police to ensure a report is filed, even if the crash seems minor at first. Medical evaluation matters even when a person feels fine afterward, since adrenaline can mask pain from fractures or internal injuries for hours or days. Keeping records of hospital visits, photos of the scene, and contact information for any witnesses can help both police and family members piece together what happened. Those with information about this crash are encouraged to reach out to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office or Green Brook Township police.
