PATERSON, Passaic County, N.J., Oct. 4, 2026 — A 50-year-old woman died on Friday evening, October 2, after a vehicle struck her near the intersection of Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue in Paterson, according to a joint statement from local authorities. She was the third pedestrian killed in the city in roughly four months.
The woman was hit at around 7 p.m. and taken to Saint Joseph's University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, according to a statement attributed to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Officer-in-Charge Patrick Murray. The driver stayed at the scene, and the case remains under active investigation. No charges had been announced as of Saturday, and the woman's name had not been released.
The crash is the latest in a string of fatal pedestrian strikes in Paterson this year. A man was killed three blocks away at Madison Avenue and Third Avenue in June, and another pedestrian died in September near 23rd and Trenton avenues in a crash that led to a DUI arrest. Both of those victims were also taken to Saint Joseph's University Medical Center.
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk Walking Paterson's Streets
Pedestrians killed in urban intersection crashes are rarely a random cross-section of the public. National data consistently shows that people walking after dark face far higher risk than those crossing in daylight, simply because drivers have less time to see and react.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 77 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark in 2023. Older adults and people crossing outside marked crosswalks also appear at higher rates in fatal-crash data, usually because reduced visibility and longer crossing times leave less room to react to an approaching vehicle.
Busy multi-lane corridors with closely spaced intersections, the kind found throughout Paterson, compound that risk. Wide crossing distances, turning traffic, and limited lighting all add seconds a pedestrian may not have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In New Jersey, pedestrians crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection generally have the right of way, and drivers are required to stop and remain stopped until they've crossed.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections, scanning both sides of the road before turning, and giving extra space and time at night or in low visibility all help drivers spot pedestrians sooner.
What injuries are most common in pedestrian crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles usually suffer head trauma, broken bones, and internal injuries, since they have no protection from the impact.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Paterson, NJ
Anyone who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately and avoid moving an injured person unless there's an immediate danger. Even pedestrians who feel uninjured after being struck should seek medical evaluation, since some injuries don't show symptoms right away.
Witnesses should stay at the scene to speak with responding officers and, if possible, note details like the time, location, and direction of travel. Anyone with information relevant to an open investigation is encouraged to contact the agency handling the case directly.
