Allen Road pedestrian safety

What happened, as the record gives it. On Oct. 31, 2025 a Basking Ridge resident was struck by a vehicle while crossing Allen Road in a marked crosswalk, Patch reported on Nov. 7, 2025, citing authorities; she died 14 days later, according to a tort claim notice Patch described on Jan. 21, 2026. In her Jan. 6, 2026 address, Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy said residents had shared their concerns about public safety on Allen Road after the resident was struck and died of her injuries. Nothing in the township’s record assigns fault.

Whose road it is. Allen Road is Somerset County Route 652, from the Bedminster line to Martinsville–Liberty Corner Road (CR 525), on the county’s list of routes. Design changes on it rest with the county. Patch reported that the township said it was in contact with the county and its Engineering Department and that “an engineering review will commence upon the conclusion of the still ongoing police investigation.”

What residents said. The Township Committee minutes record 17 public-comment entries on Allen Road, by 12 residents, at four meetings: 8 on Nov. 11, 2025, 4 on Nov. 25, 2 on Dec. 9, and 3 on Jan. 13, 2026. The minutes give only the subject (“commented on the Allen Rd incident”); what each speaker asked for is on the meeting video, which LocalWhy has not transcribed. No Allen Road comment is recorded after Jan. 13. Patch reported on Nov. 7, 2025 that a resident’s online petition had close to 1,000 signatures.

What the Mayor said. On Jan. 6, 2026: “Allen Road is among the most enforced for traffic safety in the Township.” She and Committeeman Andrew McNally, the police subcommittee, were “in communication with residents, county and staff alike regarding this priority,” and “the county and township are proceeding with several engineering studies and will anticipate outcomes within the next few months to inform and guide next steps.” She said the township was exploring education programs with RideWise Inc.

Where it stands. No result of the engineering studies, and no county design proposal for Allen Road, appears in the Committee minutes through Oct. 13, 2026. On April 14, 2026 the Committee approved a loan of a Speed Sentry radar speed display from RideWise (Res. #2026-0219, 4-0); its location is not stated. Somerset County lists “CR 652 Allen Road/Schley Mountain Road in Bernards/Bedminster from Schley Mountain Road/Route 287 to Martinsville Road” among roads anticipated to be paved under its 2027 resurfacing program.

Claims against the township (press reports). Patch (Jan. 21, 2026) reported two tort claim notices naming the township, Somerset County, the State of New Jersey and the driver, with a $5 million demand; a New Jersey Hills Media headline gives $30 million. Neither figure is in a record LocalWhy has reviewed, and no lawsuit has been found. Patch reported that the Township Attorney mentioned the notices at the Jan. 13 meeting and advised the Committee not to comment further on the crash; the minutes do not summarize that remark.

What residents can do. Speak during public comment at a Township Committee meeting, and send comments on county roads to the Somerset County Engineering Division. The explainer sets out the full record. Corrections: info@localwhy.org.