A 14-year-old bicyclist from Egg Harbor Township was fatally struck by a Pennsylvania driver at Somers Point on Thursday, July 17. According to police, the crash occurred around 8 p.m. near the Bike Path and Maryland Avenue.
The teen was transported to Atlantic Care Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City and airlifted to the pediatric trauma center at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he later died of his injuries.
Three children were also in the car at the time of the crash, police said, and neither speed nor alcohol are considered factors in the collision. No one in the vehicle sustained injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Somers Point Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
New Jersey law requires both drivers and bicyclists to share the road safely and responsibly, especially in areas near designated bike paths. Under the Safe Passing Law, drivers must provide at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist, pedestrian, or reduce their speed to 25 miles per hour and pass only when it is safe to do so if three feet of clearance is not possible. Motorists are also required to yield to bicyclists in crosswalks and entering or crossing the roadway near bike paths, schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods.
Bicyclists are expected to follow the same traffic laws as drivers when operating on public roads, but when using multi-use trails or bike paths, they typically have the right-of-way at marked crossings. These laws are designed to protect everyone on the road and to reduce the risk of serious collisions, particularly in areas where vehicle and bicycle traffic often intersect.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a crash, call the experienced Egg Harbor car accident lawyers at D’Amato Law Firm at 609-926-3300 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, Woodbury, and South Jersey.