The second fatal crash in just over a month on Kozloski Road in Freehold, this time leaving a youngster dead, triggers measures that Monmouth County authorities hope will minimize the potential for more - variable message boards.

Message board on Kozlowski Road in Freehold
Message board on Kozloski Road in Freehold (Monmouth County Dept. of Public Information and Tourism)
loading...

Four boards are in place on the road, County Route 55, between the Route 33 Bypass and Burlington Road.

In a prepared release, Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone said that the signs underscore the speed limit. “Drivers need to abide to the posted 50 mph speed limit on Kozloski Road,” he said.

The crash that left a young boy dead remains under investigation.

Tony DeLuccio, a Howell father whose 20-year-old daughter Noelle and her boyfriend Nicholas Dever, 19, of Freehold lost their lives in the same spot in August believes it will take more than signs to slow traffic. "Barriers are needed here. Do a study, but get them up while it is being done. Signage is not going to stop a head on collision," said the 50-year-old who along with his wife are now raising the couple's daughter Mikayla.

"I will lift the barriers and put them there myself. I don't want to see another family  go through what our families have gone through," said DeLuccio, who plans on attending whatever meetings necessary to get barriers installed.

Thomas Koller, 50, of Freehold also died in the August accident. A fourth victim remains hospitalized.

Officials seem convinced that driver awareness and education and speed limit enforcement on the four-mile stretch are a core component to a remedy. Information offered by county officials didn't indicate whether they would increase police patrols or add guard rails or barriers, or whether the 50 mile-per-hour speed limit should be reduced.

Freehold and county officials reportedly are also conferring with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to explore other safety measures.

NJDOT designed, financed and built the overpass as part of a larger plan to improve the Route 33's business section. It eliminated an intersection and the need for a traffic signal, officials said.

“To date, speed studies on Kozloski Road have not met the established criteria necessary to reduce the existing speed limit,” Arnone said. “The County is re-examining this factor."

Monmouth officials also seek a Road Safety Audit (RSA) by the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).

Another possibility under discussion is a traffic signal at Thoreau Drive and other measures aimed at regulating traffic flow.

More From Beach Radio