Crime & Safety

Updated: South Jersey Man Cited in Pedestrian Strike on Oak and Franklin Tuesday Night

The victim sustained minor injuries

A South Jersey man has been cited for striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk Tuesday night at the intersection of Oak and Franklin, the same cross-streets where a 83-year-old priest

The victim, described as a middle-aged man, was treated at the scene and later sent to Valley Hospital with minor leg injuries. The victim did not appear seriously injured, police said. The victim is at least the fourth person to be struck at the intersection in the past year.

Captain Jacqueline Luthcke said Alexander Houser, 23, of Mays Landing, New Jersey was issued a summons for failure to yield to a pedestrian at the crosswalk.

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Houser, who said he was not familiar with the area, told Patch that he was driving in heavy rain on Franklin Avenue and was making a left onto Oak Street when he struck the individual. The victim, 52-year-old Stephen Clarendon was on the cell phone crossing Oak Street when he was struck, and Luthcke confirmed weather appeared to be a factor.

Houser said he saw Clarendon "at the last minute, slammed on my brakes and slid" into the victim, adding he feels "terrible."

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Franklin and Oak is a heavily-traveled four-way intersection with numerous traffic lights for drivers but no "countdown" crosswalk signal lights for pedestrians.

In January a woman crossing the street in the direction of Ben & Jerry's on Franklin and Oak was just . 

[Editor's Note: There had been initially some confusion as to the gender of the victim. The article has been updated to reflect the correct information.]


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