In the wake of recent fatalities on state and county roads, Mayor James Barberio calls for action to increase pedestrian safety on Parsippany roads

PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, NJ (Morris County) – In the wake of recent fatalities on state and county roads, Mayor James Barberio is calling for action to increase pedestrian safety on Parsippany Roads.

The most recent involved an 8-year-old boy that died after being hit by an SUV on Tuesday.

“I was at the scene of a horrific accident on Littleton Road, and I am heartbroken over this tragedy where our community experienced the senseless loss of a child’s life due to a motor vehicle crash,” Barberio said. “I am truly saddened by the unnecessary loss of a community member last night, and my heart goes out to his family.”

It happened at around 5:34 p.m. in the area of 189 Littleton Road.

A 2022 Mazda CX-5 was traveling on Littleton Road and struck Avyaan Gupta who was believed to be riding a bicycle at the time of the crash. Paramedics from Denville Saint Clare’s and Par-Troy EMS responded to the scene and Gupta was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

“The incident remains under active investigation and no further information will be released at this time,” Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help the Gupta family, and to donate, click here.

“I am calling for action from the NJDOT to increase pedestrian safety and respond with a fix on their roads.  I’m asking that the county’s help and commitment to slow down vehicles and reduce the overall risk our residents and visitors on their roads,” Barberio said.

Barberio has spoken with Parsippany Police Chief Pantina to implement aggressive action to slow cars down on Parsippany roads and to be relentless in enforcing the laws to save lives and protect our community.

“Safety cannot take a back seat. The Parsippany Police Department will immediately begin expanded enforcement against drivers who fail to recognize the importance of pedestrians and bicyclists on our streets,” Barberio said.

Barberio has also spoken with their engineering department to prioritized pedestrians alongside cars for all ongoing and future roads projects.

“Instead of just focusing on pavement condition and paving the street in kind, they are to layer in safety improvements for all resurfacing projects,” Barberio said.

There have been three other fatal crashes this year on Parsippany roads.

• On April 8, Sonia Diaz, 73, of Bayonne was struck and killed by a Jeep Grand Cherokee while she attempted to cross Route 46 at North Beverwyck Road at around 11:00 a.m.
• On May 6, a 2020 Hyundai Sonata and a 2016 Volvo S60 collided at around 8:55 p.m. on West Hanover Avenue at Gov. Chris Christie Drive, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Officer Meghan Knab said. The driver of the Sonata, a 36-year-old woman, was taken to Morristown Medical Center and pronounced dead at 10:00 p.m. The driver of the Volvo suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
• On June 6, Gerard Calcagno, 55, of Bloomfield Township was struck by a 2015 Dodge Journey travelling eastbound shortly before 9:50 p.m. near 1429 Route 46. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene.