2TRENTON, NJ – The death of a construction worker on Route 9 in Toms River has sparked a bipartisan push in the New Jersey Legislature to increase penalties for intoxicated drivers who kill in highway work zones.

On Thursday, the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee advanced S-4758, a bill that would elevate the charge for reckless vehicular homicide to a first-degree crime if the fatal crash occurs within an active construction area or designated safe corridor.

The legislation was introduced in response to the death of 50-year-old Allen Adams of Lumberton, who was struck and killed while working in a Route 9 work zone in the early morning hours of July 31.

Fatal work zone crash prompts outrage

According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Adams was part of a crew perfo

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