Joseph F. Walsh, who served as a firefighter for 54 years in his hometown of Keansburg, N.J., was 76. A 26-year-old woman has been charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to use due caution for the safety of a pedestrian in a roadway, according to police. She was released on her own recognizance. The woman could also face additional charges, possibly vehicular homicide.

Walsh died after being taken by helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center with serious injuries to his head and leg. At the time of the accident, Walsh was wearing a reflective traffic vest and had a flashlight, police said.

A state workplace safety inspector investigating the accident said Walsh was in compliance with guidelines for directing traffic.

“The victim was doing precisely the right job in precisely the right way,” said Borough Manager Terence Wall. “If additional charges are warranted, we support the filing of those charges.”

“He loved the firehouse,” said Walsh’s daughter, Toby Walsh, the eldest of his three children. “He was like a father to all of them over there.”