Family Blames Snow Banks for Loved One's Death in Newark

Tyree Peterson, 34, was struck and killed by a car while trying to cross a busy street with high snow piles.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:31pm

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The family of Tyree Peterson, a 34-year-old Newark resident, is blaming the high snow banks on the side of the road for his death after he was struck and killed by a car while trying to cross the street to catch a bus. Peterson's mother says the city did not properly clear the snow, making it unsafe for pedestrians to navigate the area.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the importance of municipal snow removal efforts and their impact on public safety, especially for vulnerable pedestrians. It raises questions about the city's winter maintenance protocols and whether more can be done to protect residents from hazardous conditions caused by uncleared snow.

The details

Tyree Peterson was trying to cross the busy intersection of Clinton Avenue and Thomas Street in Newark on Saturday when he was struck and killed by a vehicle. His family says the high snow piles on the side of the road prevented him from safely crossing the street to catch his bus. Peterson's mother took photos of the snow banks a day after the crash and believes the city failed to properly clear the area, contributing to her son's death.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday.
  • Peterson's mother took photos of the snow banks the day after the crash.

The players

Tyree Peterson

A 34-year-old Newark resident who was struck and killed by a car while trying to cross the street.

Tyree Peterson's mother

The victim's mother, who believes the city's failure to clear the snow contributed to her son's death.

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What they’re saying

“They did a messed up job because they're still making it hard for people to cross the street.”

— Tyree Peterson's mother

What’s next

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for Tyree Peterson's funeral expenses. The incident is currently being investigated as an accident, but the family strongly believes that if the snow had been properly cleared, Peterson would still be alive.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the critical importance of municipal snow removal efforts in ensuring the safety of all residents, especially the most vulnerable. It underscores the need for cities to prioritize winter maintenance and take proactive steps to clear hazardous snow and ice from roads and sidewalks, in order to prevent similar preventable tragedies from occurring.