Pedestrian struck by car on Rosedale Road hospitalized

The man who was struck by a car on Rosedale Road on Wednesday morning was identified with the public’s help. Pinghua Xu, 82, of Princeton, has often been seen walking in the area by Princeton residents.

On Wednesday morning at about 8 a.m., he activated the pedestrian crossing signal located at the intersection of Rosedale Road and General Johnson Drive at the entrance to the Johnson Park School and then began walking in a northerly direction in an attempt to cross Rosedale Road. When Xu was in the eastbound lane, he was struck by a Lexus ES 350 that was driven by Princeton resident Anju Rai, 54, of Princeton, who was traveling east on Rosedale Road.

Due to his injuries, Pinghua Xu was transported to the Capital Health Regional Medical Center, which is a level two trauma center.

The intersection where the crash occurred has been considered unsafe for many years, with both the local bicycle and pedestrian committee and the PTO at the elementary school raising concerns about the crosswalk there and the safety of pedestrians and school children. The speed limit is 45 miles per hour on Rosedale Road and then the speed limit changes to 25 miles per hour near the school. The intersection was flagged in a Safe Routes to School report in 2016.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash should contact Detective Travis Allie at 609-921-2100 ext. 2123 or Detective Sgt. Ben Gering at X 1840.