A speed limit ordinance is moving forward in Brick almost four months after a 15-year-old student at Brick High School was killed in a hit-and-run.

Jackson Mueller was riding a bike near the intersection of Lanes Mill Road and Rhode Island Avenue in May when he was struck by a car. According to investigators, the driver was under 18 and fled the scene of the accident.

Neighbors said the driver was also a student at the high school.

"He was so young. He had so much to live for for something so foolish," said Brick resident Tina Suhl.

Emma Groh said she witnessed the crash while pulling out of her street.

"There were people yelling at me to cross the street, but I didn't know what to do," Groh said. "I kind of felt like I couldn't move. It felt like the world froze for a second."

Nearly four months later, local lawmakers are considering an ordinance that would reduce the speed limit on Lanes Mill Road from 40 mph to 35 mph. The proposal has generated mixed reactions from residents.

Some say a lower speed limit would be a step in the right direction, while others question whether it would make a meaningful difference without additional safety measures.

"To 35? I doubt it'll help," one resident said. "A lot of people speed on this road."

With the new school year underway, several residents said they remain concerned about students who walk or bike through the area.

"Rhode Island Avenue is actually a cut-through for a lot of kids and they do drive really quick on this road," Suhl said.

Others support the proposed change as a step in the right direction.

"There's multiple schools on this road," said Jordan Carley. "It should definitely be slower than 40 mph. It just doesn't need to be that fast and it's sad a tragedy had to happen for this to actually change something."

The Brick Township Council has advanced the ordinance to lower the speed limit to 35 mph. A final vote is scheduled for the council's next meeting Tuesday.