Memorial Day Weekend Continues to Be Dangerous for New Jersey Drivers

Memorial Day weekend is one of the deadliest times to drive, and New Jersey is no exception. The New Jersey State Police reported five fatalities in North Jersey alone, which may increase once law enforcement reports across the state are compiled.

One of the worst accidents occurred on Friday when four people were killed, including a retired Newark police officer and his two children after they were struck by a driver crossing the center lines into oncoming traffic. Upon impact, the vehicle caught fire, killing the driver.

A Jersey City woman was killed after striking several vehicles and five were seriously injured.

In Seaside Heights, an 11-year-old boy was hit by a car while riding his bicycle and airlifted to Jersey Shore University Hospital for serious injuries. The driver fled the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement.

The deadly holiday weekend ushers in the “101 Days of Summer” – a dangerous travel period due to increased road travel, drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, neglecting seat belts, and more. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA), car accident fatalities nearly double during the summer months compared to the rest of the year. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the 2023 Memorial Day weekend was expected to be one among the busiest for road travel in two decades, with over 42 million driving at least 50 miles due to lower gas prices.

Holiday weekends are often the deadliest times of the year. If you were injured by a negligent driver over the holiday weekend, contact Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC. Call 732-800-9474 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Manasquan, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout North Jersey.