In just the last two weeks, nearly three dozen more New Jerseyans have lost their lives on our roadways. The Thanksgiving weekend was particularly deadly.

“Unfortunately, with this line of work it is hard to gauge when these incidents will happen or how they happen but that is what this job is,” said Officer Kyle Bush, of the Howell Township Police Department.

Officer Bush responded Saturday night to a fatal pedestrian incident at the Howell Township intersection of Route 9 and Strickland Road.

A bicyclist was struck and killed a short time later in West Long Branch near Route 36 and Monmouth Road.

In North Jersey, the Roxbury community was dealt a devastating blow as star hockey player and 2024 high school graduate Gavin Barooah lost his life in a two-car collision Thanksgiving night in Randolph.

At least six people died over the holiday weekend in traffic-related incidents.

And on Monday, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office continues to investigate a serious crash between a vehicle and a dump truck in Colts Neck just off Route 34 on Route 537.

“That’s what this job is, figuring out what these numbers are telling us and what we can do to prevent this from happening in the future,” said Officer Bush.

“As these people are out on the road, that’s what I like to do to think twice about what’s happening out there and ensure that if you’re going to do something on the road consciously, unconsciously, recklessly or carelessly you’re going to think twice because that could mean someone’s not coming home for Christmas or the holidays,” he said.

More than 630 people have lost their lives this year. AAA says that far surpasses 2023’s numbers, and will likely top 2022, meaning this could be the deadliest year on New Jersey roads in decades.

Officer Bush says there is an uptick in alcohol-related crashes between Thanksgiving and New Years and says if you think you’re not OK to drive, you’re not. He says call a friend or a rideshare to get home safely.