Police: Road where fatal accident occurred is safe
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

HOWELL - Opinions differ as to whether Georgia Tavern Road is a safe thoroughfare or a potential drag strip.

Georgia Tavern Road is a 4-mile long street that runs between Route 9 in the Freewood Acres section of Howell and Casino Drive.

Georgia Tavern Road's intersection with Peskin and Lemon roads was in the news recently because it was the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident on April 7. Whether that one incident makes the road dangerous is the subject of debate.

According to a press release issued by the Howell Police Department, "It was learned that Carlton Streeter II, 18, of Howell was operating a 2003 BMW when he attempted to pass a Ford van making a right turn on Peskin Road.

"As the van was making the right, Streeter went into the oncoming lane and appeared to be passing the Ford van on the left.As Streeter was making the pass, 23-year-old Carmelo Lamarca of Colts Neck, operating a 2006 BMW, was starting to make a signaled left turn onto Lemon Road in front of the van."

Lemon Road and Peskin Road meet at Georgia Tavern Road.

"Lamarca swerved to the right to avoid a direct hit; however, Streeter sideswiped his vehicle and went off the road, striking several trees," according to the press release.

Reginald Edmond II, 16, of Riverside, Calif., who was a passenger in Streeter's vehicle, died of injuries sustained in the crash. Streeter was taken to Jersey Shore UniversityMedical Center, Neptune, with internal injuries, according to police.

Despite the fatality two weeks ago, police say Georgia Tavern Road is generally safe.

According to Patrolman Scott Brooks of the Howell Township Traffic Safety Unit, "there have not been a lot of crashes at that intersection.

"I have been here 11 years and I have seen one or two sizeable accidents. They are usually stop sign related," he said.

According to Brooks, Edmond's death is the first fatality that has occurred.

Brooks told Greater Media Newspapers on April 21 that Streeter had not been served with any motor vehicle summonses as of that date, but the officer said that is coming.

He said no decision has been made as to whether Streeter will face criminal charges in the accident that resulted in Edmond's death. Brooks said the accident is under review by the prosecutor's office and noted that the investigation is not likely to be completed for several weeks.

The Howell officer said law enforcement personnel are in the process of conducting blood tests on the people who were involved in the accident. Interviews are also being conducted. Brooks said Streeter was released from the hospital on April 9.

As to the safety of Georgia Tavern Road, Brooks said it "is no different from any other road in town. It's a pretty safe road."

Not everyone shares Brooks' opinion. The 45 mph road is seen by neighbors and residents as a drag strip.

According to Beth Conover, who has lived on Georgia Tavern Road for 18 years with her husband and four children, "The road is very heavy (with traffic) at times."

Conover suggested that the speed limit be reduced and that all corners be cleared of trees.

Suzan Toscano, a 16-year resident who lives off Peskin Road, said, "People come down the road very fast."

Toscano said the motor vehicle accident that occurred on April 7 was not the first one in the area. She suggested that speed bumps be installed.

"I would like to see the police put speed bumps in periodically along that area," Toscano said. "We have pedestrians, horse farms and bike riders. Speed bumps would keep teenagers from flying down the street. It would probably be less expensive than putting in a traffic light."