TOMS RIVER, NJ – A Toms River man was killed when he was struck by a car while crossing Route 37 in the lanes of traffic on the eastbound side of the highway.
The incident happened at around 5:45 am on Tuesday, according to the Toms River Police Department.
“Police units were dispatched to the area of Route 37 E and Marian Street, in reference to a male party wandering in the street in the westbound lanes. Moments later dispatch received another call that a pedestrian was struck in the eastbound lanes of Route 37. Upon the officers arrival, they located the pedestrian deceased in the shoulder of Route 37 E, eastbound, and the involved vehicle in the parking lot of Pine Belt Nissan,” police said in a statement today.
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The deceased pedestrian was identified as Joseph L. Witty Jr., 39,
The TRPD statement said Witty was walking south across Route 37E and was nearly struck by passing vehicles in the westbound lanes.
“As he continued over the median and back onto the highway he was struck by an oncoming vehicle,” police reported. “The driver was traveling eastbound in the right lane of Route 37 E. Evidence on scene indicated that Mr. Witty was in the travel lane when he was struck, and not in a crosswalk, or on the shoulder. There was no indication of cell phone use or impairment by the driver at the time of the crash.”
No charges were filed against the driver.