EDGEWATER PARK, NJ — Authorities are investigating a deadly crash on Route 130 in Edgewater Park after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle early Sunday morning. Police said the man, later identified as 51-year-old Welther Briggs of Willingboro, was walking on the southbound side of the highway near Pennypacker Drive when he was hit around 2 a.m.
Briggs died from his injuries. The collision happened on Route 130 South, and investigators have not publicly said what led up to the impact or whether the driver remained at the scene.
Pedestrian was struck near Pennypacker Drive
According to police, Briggs was on Route 130 South at the intersection with Pennypacker Drive when a southbound vehicle struck him. The crash happened in the overnight hours, when traffic is typically lighter but visibility can still be limited.
The location places the deadly collision on a busy corridor that runs through Burlington County and serves both local and through traffic. Police have not released any additional details about the sequence of events before the impact.
For now, the basic facts are clear: a pedestrian was walking along or across the roadway, a vehicle traveling in the same direction hit him, and he later died. Investigators have not said whether speed, impairment, distraction, or another factor played a role.
Authorities identified the victim as Welther Briggs
Police identified the man killed in the crash as Welther Briggs, 51, of Willingboro. His name and town were released as part of the initial information shared about the investigation.
Briggs’ death adds to a long-running public safety concern on major roads where pedestrians and vehicles can come into close contact. In this case, officials have not said why he was on the roadway at that hour or whether he was crossing the highway, walking along it, or in another position when he was hit.
No other injuries were reported in the information released by police. Authorities have also not released the identity of the driver involved.
NBC10 observed a red Ford Escape with minor front damage
NBC10 said it responded to the scene early Sunday and saw a red Ford Escape that appeared to have minimal damage to the front driver-side headlight. That observation offered an early look at one vehicle in the area, though officials did not immediately confirm its involvement.
Investigators with the Edgewater Park Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office are continuing to examine the crash. Their work will likely focus on how the collision unfolded and whether any evidence from the scene, vehicle damage, or witness statements helps reconstruct the moments before impact.
Police are asking witnesses to contact Detective Haney
Investigators are seeking help from anyone who saw the crash or has information about what happened. Edgewater Park Township Police said witnesses should contact Detective Haney at 609-877-4404 or email chaney@edgewaterpark-nj.com.
That outreach suggests officers want to build a fuller timeline of the overnight collision and understand whether anyone saw the pedestrian before the impact or noticed the vehicle shortly beforehand. Even small details can matter in a case like this, especially when a crash occurs in the dark and there may be limited physical evidence.
Police have not announced any charges or said whether the case will be referred for further action once the investigation is complete.
Route 130 remains under close scrutiny after deadly pedestrian crash
The investigation comes as roadway safety remains a major issue on busy state highways, particularly where traffic moves quickly and pedestrians may be nearby. Sunday’s crash on Route 130 is a reminder of how dangerous those conditions can be when a person is on the roadway outside a marked crossing or in a low-light setting.
Officials have not said whether any traffic changes or lane closures were needed after the fatal incident. What remains is a continuing investigation into a deadly encounter on a major South Jersey road, with authorities still working to determine exactly how Welther Briggs was struck and what happened in the moments before his death.
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