Texting???????

that is a very poorly lit intersection. Very tricky when cars are making lefts from the bridge and/or tuttle pkwy

A stoplight or better lighting in general would make too much sense. We'll see the usual political two step, the town will say it's a county road and not under their control, the county will say they do not have "that many" recorded incidents and both will claim the the budget does'nt allow. It's much easier to pass higher insurance premiums and settlements on to the back of the taxpayers.

Now is a great time to move that debacle of a light on central ave in front of that lady's house and put it on north ave before someone else gets hurt

I too pass that intersection many times... one problem is that most cars are traveling faster then the posted speed... even cars have a hard time crossing North Ave.. how about a four way stop sign .. seems like that would be a cheap fix.. God Bless the injured and there families..

Texting as a possibility, to me, seems like some really sharp thinking. I watch mothers in their vans often talking on their cells, with kids in the car., Then there are the young people I observe looking down while they drive, in a manner that suggests a possibility of texting. Our country is slowly moving toward addressing these behaviors because it has become common knowledge that driver distraction is a serious problem. So, I am with you Ken and do not think you are at all cynical.

This week has been very rough for Westfield and residents. Hope things get better!!

Residents in the area have said they've seen pedestrian accidents in the past and attribute it to poorly lit streets. Our reporters on the scene said the area was pitch black without lights from police cars tonight.

Jeff, I absolutely agree with you and hope my comment did not come off in the wrong way. Finding out what happened to the victims here is of utmost importance. I can assure you we will be looking into all angles of this story. Thank you for your thoughts and concern.

I live in the exact area where the accident took place and it is an absolute sin that there are no lights at this intersection or anywhere nearby. It's very dangerous! I would say there's atleast one accident a month at this intersection. Many that my family and I have had to call into the police department. Not all as severe but we've seen everything from a deer getting hit by a car to jeeps flipped over to busses hitting a house. Not ideal for WESTFIELD, NJ

Oh, and Eric I will have NO complaints about lights there! All of my neighbors and I have Petioned for lights there so get the facts straight before becoming ignorant.

About a year ago my mother was hit from behind by another driver after she had stopped for a pedestrian on the crosswalk in front of L&T. She had been stopped for at least 10 seconds, not a sudden stop. The guy said he just wasn't paying attention. Very dangerous spot with the intermittent stoppages due to the crosswalk.

To the Cynic---who is not a cynic, but just aware. I think it is a great idea to take vids of the drivers. I am sure that you have no problem with more lights in the area, but getting information for everyone to actually view on texting and cell fone use while driving ,is a great idea!

If a traffic light is not approved and I am not sure why it would not be, perhaps set up a walkway with lights similar to the one used at the temple. Does anyone know if that has solved the problem in that location? I think there is a similar one near Lord and Taylor.

I am surprised to see so many ppl blaming the pedestrians or poor lighting. A pedestrian stands no chance against a 3000 pound car, so why are you putting the onus on them when the law is clearly on their side...narrow minded.

I cross the street all the time around here in the dark (i am a commuter, so I have no choice). Simple fact, distracted or not, lit or not, DRIVERS in this town do not consider that pedestrians exist. I have seen more than one try to PULL AROUND another driver who is stopping for a pedestrian or biker, blatantly blow by a mother with a baby stroller in a X-walk, or honk their horn in anger at a guy flagging them down to stop so they can finish crossing. and I have seen it happen in full view of the westfield police with no action. Want to raise revenue? Camp out at a xwalk.

I am a defensive pedestrian: I assume drivers don't see me, I have a reflective strip on my bag, and I am buying a flashing reflector today to clip on my bag. Thats my choice, but driver behavior needs to change.

Currect it look good on paper and the law is on the side of the pedestrian but laws are broken daily. Probably laws are being broken every second. With that being said I know at night even in a lite area u can always see the pedestrians. So as a pedestrian myself I look both ways, not everyone does. I've seen people just walk out into traffic and get mad when people don't stop. A car traveling at 25 miles an hour takes more then 10 feet to stop. Pay Attention People!

My deepest sympathy goes out to the families effected by this tragedy.

On July 26, 2005, Westfield's Consulting Engineer Gordon Meyh authored a report titled "Traffic Calming and Safety Improvements for Eight (8) Locations. The report lists North and Tuttle as one of the locations. The report goes on to state the following, "To specifically address several hot-spot locations, the Public Safety, Transportation, and Parking Committee of the governing body of Westfield formed a Citizen's Traffic Advisory Committee." "Based primarily on the magnitude of requests and prioritization by the Westfield Police Department, eight (8) locations were chosen for a detailed study." North and Tuttle was categorized as a location that involves traffic and pedestrian safetty around a school. What has the Town done to improve safety for pedestrians at this location since the report was issued in 2005? More to follow tonight, at The Fact of The Matter at www.07090.blogspot.com

This was a terrible and upsetting accident for those affected directly and for the neighborhood. What's needed at this location? Periodically recurring and aggressive, safety-based speed enforcement (enforcement also should target jaywalking commuters and other pedestrians), better signage and roadway striping, and well-designed/situated street lights. What is NOT needed is a traffic signal. Not only would this effectively "urbanize" the residential neighborhood (albeit one on a busy street), it would result in considerable queuing problems.

I agee with Sean. This intersection is compounded with danger by being in a 35 mph zone with a school crossing zone. The lighting should be improved and the speed limit should be lowered to 25. The majority of motorists in this town have a complete disregard for pedestrians, whether they are careful or not. Most, if not all, of the pedestrian fatalities have occured in marked crosswalks, and many near accidents caused by cars speeding around cars that do stop for pedestrians - I've experienced that many times. If the Town wanted to raise revenue fast, a few check points at marked intersections would result in a nearly infinite number of arrests.

That corner is soooooo dark at night and cars speed down that stretch. No one is going 25 mph like the sign says. As a driver we are responsible for our car and what it can do to pedestrians . And if you see a car stopped around a crosswalk don't assume that they are turning and go around them - guarantee this is what happened here. So sad.

Several times when I've stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, the person behind me, who can't see because they are too close to my truck to start with, tries to pass me on the right. Fortunately, I check my mirrors often when driving and have managed to turn my car a bit sideways stopping the fool. I dread the day that I'm not quick enough and my kids end up witnessing a murder and see the horror of a dead body.

@Sue -- I have seen that same situation, and when I stop for a pedestrian -- especially on North Ave, I try to block the whole expanse of the lane...But pedestrians also have to assume they are invisible at night...I saw a couple trying to cross their a couple of nights ago...it took them quite some time...but they were patient. It's extremely dark and extremely dangerous. It breaks my heart to hear this story. And I'm sure not just one factor was involved...

It would help drivers see the pedestrians if they would wear light-colored clothes and use a flashlight. When it's dark and they are in dark clothes it is impossible to see them. I always try to stop for pedestrians but also worry about the vehicles behind. I've seen them go around to the right when I stop for the person crossing at L&T.
My prayers to the famlies; so heartbreaking.

We all make the decision when driving between what's more important, a HUMAN LIFE or a text, a call, or being late for something. When conditions are not ideal, all parties should take extra care. I'm getting off the soapbox now.

I was once walking in a CROSSWALK in Westfield, having LOOKED both ways before entering the crosswalk, without any electronic devices, and with TWO cars stopped going each way to let me cross.... and I was hit by a car that swerved around one of the cars that stopped for me. Thankfully they had to slow down to swerve between the cars... In this instance, I don't think it's fair to jump to conclusions about whether the pedestrian or driver was at fault, or whether they were texting/paying attention or simply couldn't see the person without more information.

There are way too many pedestrians not paying attention. One was hit at Quimby & Elm, 2 more in front of Lord & Taylor, now this. When I cross any intersection, either walking or driving, I always assume the cross traffic will NOT stop and double check whether it is safe or not. When it comes to a contest between a car and a pedestrian, the car has a considerable advantage and should be treated as such.

Judging from the updated story, it was just a horrible tragedy all the way around.

This story sickens me. Such a tragedy. The intersection is very poorly lit and the bridge road is narrow. Making a turn from North Ave onto the bridge cross at night,,,,,with traffic....is difficult even without pedestrians. Though I don't know if it was an issue, I have experienced the only normal reaction to pass a stop car on the right thinking that the car was making a left turn (without the use of a signal...all too common) only to learn that the car was stopped to let a pedestrian cross the street. Now that I have learned to be alert of this situation I hope to avoid it in the future....but what about the car behind me? He may pass on the right. Seems to me that there is no perfect solution. All I know is that it is that if you are injured or worse it really does not make a difference who was at fault. That reads "the pedestrian needs to be aware".

4. Catching police chief parizeau engaging in promiscuous activity with the "other" woman behind Manhattan bagel only to be caught by a police officer working the night shift. Rookie mistake.