Hit-And-Run Driver Sought In Woman's Death On Route 70 In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Authorities are searching for the driver in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a woman near Route 70 and Massachusetts Avenue in Toms River early Sunday morning.

The woman, who is 28 years old, was hit about 2:10 a.m., was found lying in the road, a joint news release from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little.

A witness told police the driver got out of his vehicle, looked at the woman, and then drove off, authorities said.

The driver was described as a tall, thin, white man with blond or reddish hair, and was driving a dark-colored Ford Explorer, model year 2003-2009, authorities said. The Explorer has significant damage to the front passenger side, including an inoperable passenger side headlight and hood damage, authorities said. It was last seen headed east on Route 70 toward Lakewood, they said.

First responders immediately rendered aid to the victim along with EMS/medics, and her pulse was restored, authorities said. She was taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she later died, authorities said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the Ford Explorer and/or information about its driver is asked to contact Detective Anthony Carrington of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit at 732-929-2027, ext. 3257, or Toms River Police Officer Corporal Robert Westfall at rwestfall@trpolice.org, or the Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau at 732-349-0150.

The investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office is continuing.