NEWARK, Essex County, N.J., Oct. 12, 2026 — A bicyclist died Saturday afternoon, October 10, after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Haynes Avenue and Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark's South Ward.
Emergency crews were sent to the intersection Saturday afternoon after reports that a vehicle had struck a person riding a bicycle, according to preliminary reports. The bicyclist was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where hospital staff pronounced the person dead.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office was notified and reportedly responded to the scene to investigate, a step typically taken in fatal crashes in the county. The victim's identity has not been released. Details about the vehicle involved, including its make and the circumstances of the collision, were not immediately available.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. No additional information, including whether any charges are expected, has been released.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
Why Intersections Are Where Bicycle Crashes Keep Happening
Most collisions between cars and bicycles do not happen on open stretches of road. They happen where paths cross: at intersections, where a driver turning left or right has to judge the speed of an oncoming cyclist in a fraction of a second, often while also watching for pedestrians and other cars. A cyclist can be in a driver's blind spot or simply outside the zone a driver is trained to scan, especially at a four-way intersection with multiple lanes of traffic converging at once.
Turning movements are a particular problem. A driver making a right turn on red, or a left turn against oncoming traffic, is focused on gaps in car traffic and can miss a bicycle approaching from an unexpected angle or at a speed drivers don't anticipate. Poor visibility, parked cars blocking sightlines, and short windows to react all add up at intersections more than on straightaways.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedalcyclist fatalities accounted for 2.9 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023. Many of those deaths, like many bicycle injuries generally, trace back to the moment a turning vehicle and a bicycle occupy the same space at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cyclists have the same rights on the road as drivers?
In New Jersey and most states, bicyclists are generally treated as vehicle operators with the same rights and responsibilities as drivers, including the right to use travel lanes and the duty to obey traffic signals.
Are bicycle crashes more likely at intersections?
Yes. A large share of car-bicycle collisions happen at intersections or driveways, where turning vehicles cross a cyclist's path.
What injuries are most common for cyclists hit by vehicles?
Common injuries include head and brain trauma, broken bones, road rash, and spinal injuries. Severity often depends on vehicle speed and whether the cyclist was wearing a helmet.
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in Newark, NJ
Anyone involved in or who witnesses a bicycle crash should call 911 right away so police and paramedics can respond. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is worth getting, since some injuries, especially head injuries, aren't obvious immediately.
If you're able, try to write what you saw, including the location, time, and any vehicle details, and get contact information for witnesses. Newark police or the Essex County Prosecutor's Office may follow up as part of their investigation, and a written report can help establish what happened. Family members of someone involved in a serious crash should expect that an official investigation and medical documentation may take time to complete.
