On March 30th, shortly before 9PM, 60-year-old Luis A. Colon was tragically killed after being struck by two separate vehicles near 1799 Delsea Drive in Deptford, NJ. Luis is the 2nd bicyclist killed by a driver in New Jersey in 2026.
The name of the driver of the first vehicle that first struck them has not been released. While the driver of the first vehicle dialed 911 after striking the cyclist, Luis had fallen into the road and was struck again by a second car that drove away before returning to the scene two hours later to tell police that he was the driver.
The driver of the second vehicle, Iqrar Ahmad, an 18-year-old from Deptford, has been arrested and charged with second-degree leaving the scene. It is unclear if any other charges will be filed against either driver.
We offer our deepest condolences to Mr. Colon’s family and friends. The family has established a GoFundMe page if you want to help cover funeral expenses for Luis.
While the exact details of the crash are not available, it is evident that Delsea Drive (NJ 47) is not bicycle-friendly, the width of the shoulders varies from zero to eight feet, the speed limit is 45 miles per hour, and speeding appears to be routine. Delsea Drive acts as the main north-south Arterial in Deptford, and there are limited alternative routes that don’t require significant detours. The road is poorly lit, with the nearest streetlights more than 300 feet to the north and 800 feet to the south.
Delsea Drive is a state-maintained highway that is on DVRPC’s Regional High Injury Network. The corridor between saw 4 bicycle and 6 pedestrian crashes. The Township adopted a bicycle plan in November 2024. There is currently no online version of the plan available but draft map proposed bike lanes to the south of the crash site where Tanyard Rd meets Delsea Drive.
What Countermeasures Could Make the Road Safer?
- Separated bicycle and pedestrian pathway (sidepath)
- Improved lighting
- Bicycle-tolerant edgeline rumble strips
- Reducing the Speed Limit to 35 mph
- “Four Feet to Pass” signs as required by state law
Conceptual Drawing of a shared-use path on Route 47 within the existing NJDOT Right-of-Way.
If anyone you know has been involved in a crash or lost someone in a crash and is looking for community, please reach out to Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia by emailing julio@bicyclecoalition.org.
Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia (FSSGP) is comprised of victims of traffic violence and families whose loved ones have been killed or severely injured by aggressive, reckless, or careless driving, behaviors enabled by dangerous street design. FSSGP represents the full range of Greater Philadelphia’s rich diversity and collectively demands an end to traffic violence.
