Howell, Monmouth County

Another Close Call On NJ’s Highways – This Time At Howell Township Crash Scene, Slow Down, Move Over, It’s The Law

PUT THE PHONE DOWN AND MOVE OVER!

October 26, 2020

HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A week has gone buy since we celebrated National Move Over Day when Howell Police investigating an accident scene on Route 9 North Bound near Casino Drive with emergency lights activated when a North Bound Driver on their cell phone ran into their patrol vehicle that was at the accident scene. Luckily no one else was injured at the emergency scene.

At approximately 10:00 am on Sunday, June 6, 2010, Trooper Castellano was walking along the shoulder of Interstate 195 West near the Exit 31 ramp in Howell Township. He was searching for an alleged armed occupant of an abandoned vehicle that was connected to an ongoing investigation when he was struck by a passing motorist. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey, where he died several hours later from his injuries. NJ State Troopers at the memorial on I-195
Trooper Marc K. Castellano Badge: # 6397 At approximately 10:00 am on Sunday, June 6, 2010, Trooper Castellano was walking along the shoulder of Interstate 195 West near the Exit 31 ramp in Howell Township. He was searching for an alleged armed occupant of an abandoned vehicle that was connected to an ongoing investigation when he was struck by a passing motorist. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey, where he died several hours later from his injuries.
BREAKING: NJ State Police Vehicle Destroyed By Dump Truck On NJ Turnpike — June 22, 2020

UPDATE: NJSP Col. Callahan And Govenor Phil Murphy Provide Update On Crash; Trooper Will Be OK After Being Thrown 30 Feet June 22, 2020

SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER: NJTP Car Fire And Rubberneck 3 Car Accident June 4, 2020
BREAKING: NJ State Police Vehicle Struck On NJ Turnpike Sending 1 To Hospital June 7, 2020

HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–This evening, Howell Police were investigating a collision on Rt.9 in the northbound lanes near Casino Drive. While the officers were out of their vehicles, another motorist who admittedly was using her phone struck one of the unoccupied patrol vehicles. The other motorist who is a Howell resident was not impaired or injured. Thankfully no one else was injured at the scene. The motorist was issued summonses. This is another reminder that it only takes a second to possibly ruin the rest of your life or someone else’s. We all are guilty of it on occasion but when there’s an active emergency scene that’s definitely not the time to be doing so. Move over or significantly slow for stopped emergency vehicles. This includes our tow/wrecker services.

New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2

Procedure for motorist approaching certain stationary vehicle.

1. a. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle as defined in R.S.39:1-1 that is displaying a flashing, blinking or alternating red or blue light or, any configuration of lights containing one of these colors, shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:

(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or

(2) If a lane change pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

b. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary tow truck as defined in section 1 of P.L.1999, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6) that is displaying a flashing amber light, a stationary highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle that is operated by the State, an authority or a county or municipality and displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights, or a stationary sanitation vehicle displaying a flashing amber warning light pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2011, c.3 (C.39:3-54.27) shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:

(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle, or sanitation vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or

(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

c. A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.

L. 2017, c.43, s.1.