Radika Eagar Killed in Franklin Township Pedestrian Accident
The 52-year-old mother of two was struck by a Toyota Corolla while crossing Hamilton Street
Radika Eagar, 52, of Franklin Township, was killed in a pedestrian crash on Hamilton Street near Francis Street in Franklin Township, New Jersey, on July 15, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Toyota Corolla struck the woman as she attempted to cross the road at approximately 8:35 p.m., investigators said. The driver of the car was not injured and remained at the scene.
Paramedics pronounced Eagar, a mother of two, dead before she could be taken to a hospital. She worked as a paraprofessional in local elementary schools.
The Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team and local police are investigating the collision. No charges have been announced.
According to the New Jersey State Police, 230 pedestrians were killed in traffic collisions across the state in 2024, marking a recent high for pedestrian death.
Families who lose a loved one in a sudden pedestrian collision often face a complex search for answers while navigating deep grief. While authorities continue to examine the Hamilton Street scene, independent investigations frequently uncover critical details about driver behavior and visibility.
Andrew G. Finkelstein, managing partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices, said, "Vehicle event data recorders have revolutionized pedestrian crash investigations by capturing milliseconds of data before impact, including brake application, steering angle, and acceleration. This technology often reveals whether drivers attempted emergency stops or remained unaware of pedestrians entirely."
"A legal team will work with reconstruction specialists to download and analyze this data, creating a clear chronology of events that surviving families need to understand what happened," added Finkelstein, who is a national legal analyst for Accident News
Why did the Toyota strike the pedestrian on Hamilton Street?
Investigators will review the Toyota's speed, potential driver distractions, and the lighting conditions at the corner of Francis Street. In pedestrian accidents such as this, safety analysts point to driver inattention as a recurring factor.
How common are fatal pedestrian collisions in Somerset County?
New Jersey has seen a concerning rate of pedestrian death in recent years, with pedestrians making up nearly 31% of all traffic deaths in the state in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.).
Under state law, the surviving family members of a pedestrian killed by a negligent driver may have grounds to pursue a civil claim for their loss.
New Jersey wrongful death statute
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:31-1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. New Jersey applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.