17 Year Old Randolph High School Student Struck and Killed by Motor Vehicle
Wednesday, January 06, 2010Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Chief William Schievella and Randolph Township Police Chief Robert Mason announce the death of a 17 year old female Randolph High School Senior and resident of Randolph.
On Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at approximately 8:46 p.m. the Randolph Township Police Department received numerous 911 calls reporting that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle in the west bound lane of Route 10 at the intersection of Route 10 and Center Grove Road.
The Randolph Township Police and Emergency Response units responded to the scene. The investigation revealed that a 1981 Mercedes Benz which was being operated by a 59 year old Morris Township woman was traveling on Route 10 west bound in the left lane.
The vehicle struck a 17 year old female Randolph High School student. The student had just finished her shift at the Randolph Diner and proceeded to cross Route 10 from the east bound side. The victim walked to the center median of Route 10 which separates the highway in the east and west bound direction and was struck by the vehicle traveling in the west bound left lane.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the Morris County Medical Examiner at 9:30 p.m. The investigation was conducted by the Randolph Township Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Vehicle Homicide Unit, Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Section along with the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was stuck in the left lane while the driver had a green light at that intersection. The driver of the vehicle voluntarily consented to the submission of blood and urine samples which is pending toxicology results.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., stated, "While the Randolph Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office will continue this investigation, preliminarily it appears that this was a tragic accident and that no criminal negligence of the driver contributed to this fatality. Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to the family and friends of this young woman."
Arrangements have been made with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Victim Witness Unit to assist the family during this tragic time.
Both the Randolph Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office have been in touch with the Superintendent of the Randolph School District as well as the Principal of the Randolph High School and the school has made arrangements for counseling services for the start of school today for the students and staff at the high school.