By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Eight months after a traffic accident killed a West Windsor Township resident on Princeton-Hightstown Road at the entrance to Community Park, Mercer County is moving ahead with plans to install a left-turn arrow on the traffic light at that intersection.
Township Council approved a resolution — at Mercer County officials’ request — that supports adding the left-turn arrows on the traffic light on Princeton-Hightstown Road at Bernt Midland Boulevard (Community Park) and Slayback Drive.
Township Council member Alison Miller said she was pleased to be able to vote on the resolution, in the wake of the tragedy that occurred at the intersection last summer. The left-turn arrow will increase safety for everyone who passes through the intersection, she said.
Township Council’s adoption of the resolution clears the way for the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders to adopt an ordinance to make changes to the traffic light on Princeton-Hightstown Road. Also known as Route 561, Princeton-Hightstown Road is a county road.
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh called Mercer County officials almost immediately following the accident to request a green left-turn arrow, and Township Council followed up at a subsequent meeting to request the change to the traffic light. A study by county engineers determined the change was warranted.
Ruby Chiang, 43, was killed when the car in which she was riding was struck broadside by another vehicle in July 2015. Her husband, Robert Chiang, 42, was driving their 2014 Acura east on Princeton-Hightstown Road and was turning left into the entrance to Community Park.
The Chiangs’ vehicle was struck on the passenger side by a 2004 Toyota driven by 18-year-old Michael Martinez, who was traveling west on Princeton-Hightstown Road. Also known as Route 571, it is a Mercer County-maintained road.
There is a traffic light at the intersection of Princeton-Hightstown Road and a left-turn lane, but no green left-turn arrow. There are green left-turn arrows, however, at other intersections on Princeton-Hightstown Road.
