Hit-and-run crash spurs on pedestrian safety improvements in Hoboken
It was on Oct. 3 just before 1 a.m. when police say a 39-year-old woman was struck by a car at the intersection of 15th and Hudson streets.
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A hit-and-run crash in Hoboken is leading to pedestrian safety improvements being made in the city's Second Ward.
It was on Oct. 3 just before 1 a.m. when police say a 39-year-old woman was struck by a car at the intersection of 15th and Hudson streets.
Detectives say the driver of the car then took off west on 15th Street.
The victim is home recovering from the crash, but residents say the intersection where the woman was struck is unsafe.
Kahalil Malamug works just up the block from the site of the crash. He says he sees close calls of pedestrians nearly getting hit every day. It's gotten to the point where Malamug waits for the driver to go before he crosses the road.
"Our corner is really busy. I don't think a lot of people look to slow down or even give consideration to pedestrians," Malamug said.
And he is not alone in his opinions.
Alexis Buglione, of Weehawken, frequents the area and says she is always on alert because drivers are blowing through stops signs.
"Honestly, everywhere in this area I feel like cars aren't paying attention, so I'm always trying to be aware," Buglione said.
According to Second Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, 15th Street is one the most dangerous streets in Hoboken.
Since the crash, the city announced plans to improve pedestrian safety, including restriping the crosswalks, adding new signage and clearing obstacles from obscuring corners.
While interviewing Fisher on Saturday, she realized one of the improvements was already put in place: new LED flashing stop signs.
"I love the fact that it's already been installed [LED flashing stop sign]. We can make better visibility of this intersection," Fisher said. "We definitely need to take a longer term look at traffic patterns and we need to look into doing more enforcement of running stops signs in our intersection."
Having an additional police presence in the area is something Malamug wants to see as well, especially during rush hour.
"Just because there would be some sort of regulation or actual physical presence, kind of watching what's going on," Malamug said.
According to a city official, this was the only crash reported at 15th and Hudson streets since Jan. 1, 2025.
