Old Bridge man killed in pre-dawn accident

OLD BRIDGE — A township man died early Saturday morning after being struck by a vehicle while trying to cross the northbound lanes of Route 9 near Fairway Lane.

According to police reports, the pedestrian, Robert L. Wedel, 50, of Mapleview Drive was struck by a 1990 Dodge Caravan driven by Harry S. Mount, 39, of Freehold, at 5:03 a.m. as he was crossing Route 9 northbound from west to east.

Wedel was pronounced dead at 5:50 a.m. by emergency medical personnel responding to the scene.

No charges have been filed against Mount, who told police that because Wedel was dressed in dark clothing, he could not see the pedestrian crossing the highway until the point of impact.

Police do not believe that Mount was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, nor that he was speeding or driving recklessly. Mount was reportedly on his way to work in Woodbridge at the time the collision occurred.

Since Mount volunteered to submit to a blood test to determine his sobriety level at the time of the accident, police transported him to Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division, to undergo testing, reports state.

Police are asking anyone with additional information about the accident to contact Old Bridge Detective Scott Crocco at (732) 721-5600 ext. 3100.