LITTLE EGG HARBOR, N.J. — A Monroe Township man has been indicted on vehicular homicide and hit-and-run charges in connection with a crash that killed a 68-year-old pedestrian who was walking on a sidewalk in Little Egg Harbor Township. The indictment marks the latest development in a case that began with a predawn emergency call and an investigation that eventually identified the driver of a box truck that allegedly left the scene.
An Ocean County grand jury on May 28 indicted Artice Norvell, 54, of Monroe Township, on charges of Vehicular Homicide and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Fatal Crash Happened Before Sunrise
The case stems from an incident that occurred at approximately 4 a.m. on Nov. 5, 2025.
Officers from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department responded to the intersection of Center Street and Oak Street after receiving a report of an injured pedestrian.
When officers arrived, they found Domenico Russano, 68, of Little Egg Harbor Township, lying in the roadway with severe injuries.
Russano was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators Say Truck Struck Victim and Left Scene
According to investigators, evidence collected by the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit indicated that a white Ford F-650 box truck struck Russano while he was walking on a sidewalk.
Authorities allege the vehicle left the area after the collision.
Detectives spent months reconstructing the events surrounding the crash and working to identify the vehicle and driver involved.
The investigation ultimately led authorities to identify Norvell as the person operating the truck at the time of the incident, according to prosecutors.
Charges Filed Months After Investigation
On March 6, 2026, Norvell was charged with vehicular homicide and knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death.
Three days later, on March 9, he surrendered to law enforcement without incident.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and later released under New Jersey’s bail reform system.
Key Points
• A grand jury indicted a Monroe Township man in a fatal Little Egg Harbor hit-and-run case.
• Prosecutors allege a Ford F-650 box truck struck a 68-year-old pedestrian walking on a sidewalk.
• The victim, Domenico Russano, later died from his injuries.
• Authorities say the driver left the scene before being identified through a months-long investigation.
Grand Jury Allows Case to Move Forward
The indictment allows the criminal case to proceed through the New Jersey court system.
Prosecutors allege Norvell’s actions resulted in Russano’s death and that he knowingly left the crash scene afterward.
An indictment is a formal accusation and does not constitute a finding of guilt. Norvell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Agencies Credited for Investigation
Prosecutor Billhimer credited Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke, who presented the case to the grand jury on behalf of the state.
He also recognized the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their work during the investigation.
The case remains pending in Ocean County Superior Court. As of Friday, Norvell had been indicted but had not been convicted of the charges stemming from the fatal November 2025 crash.
