South River Woman Charged With DWI After Hitting, Killing Man

SOUTH RIVER, NJ — A South River woman who police say was driving while intoxicated hit a man working as a recycling collector last Thursday, May 3, and killed him, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's office.

The fatal accident happened on Pulawski Avenue in South River at 11:17 a.m. on May 3. The man she allegedly killed has been identified as William Oross, 49, of North Brunswick, who was working for Solterra recycling company in that area when he was hit.

Phyllis Kocheran, 52, of South River was driving a blue 2011 Jeep Wrangler when she struck him, South River detectives said. Oross was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after he was hit, but did not survive and was pronounced dead from his injuries at the hospital, police said.

An autopsy by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that he died from blunt force injuries he sustained from being hit with the Jeep.

Kocheran was issued a motor vehicle summons for driving while intoxicated.

Oross, known as "Wild Bill" to his friends and family, was remembered in a loving obituary as an avid fisherman who lived life by a unique motto: "Loved by few, hated by many, respected by all."

He is survived by his mother and brother, both of whom live in Spotswood. Oross lived much of his life in Spotswood before recently moving to North Brunswick.

The investigation into his death is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Guiamano at (732) 238-1000, or Detective Morris (732) 745-4194.

Photo of William Oross used with permission from Brunswick Memorial Home.