NJ Transit Bus Identified In Toms River Fatal Christmas Hit-And-Run

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run in downtown Toms River on Christmas morning was struck by an NJ Transit bus, authorities said Tuesday.

Keith Elliott, 45, of Messenger Street, Toms River, was found dead in the road near the intersection of Highland Parkway and Herflicker Boulevard, Toms River police said on Dec. 26.

A preliminary investigation has found Elliott was hit by an NJ Transit bus driven by Wilford Anderson Jr., 60, of Sicklerville, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little said in a joint announcement.

Elliott's body was reported in the road at 10:38 a.m. on Christmas, Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office, said Tuesday. The initial investigation found Elliott had left his home and was believed to be walking to the bus terminal on Highland Parkway, Della Fave said. Elliott had planned to take a bus to Lacey Township, where he was to spend Christmas Day with his family. Investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation unit and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office assisted Toms River police with the initial investigation.

On Dec. 26, authorities returned to the scene to continue the investigation and observe traffic near the time of the incident. At about 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 26, the approximate time of the accident the previous day, an NJ Transit bus traveling north on Highland Parkway made a right turn onto Herflicker Boulevard, Della Fave said. The bus was stopped so the driver, Anderson, could be questioned about possible involvement in the accident, he said.

Toms River Police Officer Adam Koeppen and Detective Michael Proto from the prosecutor's office found that Anderson had worked the previous day and while operating a different bus, did in fact turn onto Herflicker Boulevard after exiting the bus terminal, Della Fave said. Anderson did encounter a pedestrian near the area of the crash walking south toward the bus terminal, Koeppen and Proto learned, and the pedestrian was trying to wave Anderson down so he could board the bus.

Anderson told Koeppen and Proto that he stopped the bus and allowed the pedestrian to cross in front of him, while gesturing to the man to tell him he could not board the bus, Della Fave said. Anderson told investigators he believed the pedestrian continued walking away from the bus toward the terminal as he made his turn onto Herflicker Boulevard to continue his route, Della Fave said.

Detectives later secured video footage confirming the involvement of Anderson’s bus in the accident, and an examination of the bus Anderson was operating at the time of the accident provided additional evidence that Elliott was indeed struck by Anderson’s bus, Della Fave said.

Elliott's obituary, posted by the Barnegat Funeral Home, said he was born in the Bronx and had lived in Barnegat Township most of his life. A graduate of Southern Regional High School, he is survived by a son, Devin; his parents, Carl and Virginia Elliott; his sister; Cristi Elliott; and nieces Monica and Gina. A memorial gathering was held on New Year's Eve.

Della Fave said Anderson, as well as bus passengers, told detectives they were not aware that Elliott had been struck.

Della Fave said the investigation is continuing.

Keith Elliott photo via Barnegat Funeral Home