South Brunswick police identified the pedestrian killed on Dec. 15 as 68-year-old Deborah Smick of North Brunswick.
The crash was reported at 7:02 p.m. on Route 1 at Deans Lane in South Brunswick. An investigation by South Brunswick Traffic Safety Bureau determined Smick’s vehicle had become disabled in the Wendy’s restaurant parking lot at 3800 Route 1.
Smick called a North Brunswick tow company who had picked up her vehicle and was bringing it across the highway to a gas station. Smick was walking across the highway when she was struck, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department on Dec. 18.
Several witnesses reported the traffic signal was green for Route 1 traffic when Smick began to cross, according to the statement. Investigators believe Smick may have been distracted as she began to cross the highway.
Smick was struck by a 2016 Honda CRV driven by a 63-year-old Staten Island man. The driver of the Honda stayed on the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said.
Smick was provided medical aid by a passing doctor and several motorists, according to the statement. South Brunswick officers, along with South Brunswick EMS, continued live-saving efforts, but she was pronounced at the scene.
Route 1 northbound was closed for three hours while the investigation was conducted.
“The loss of life anytime is a tragedy, but I want to thank the efforts of so many who stopped to provide aid,” Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said in the statement.
