Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Township Police Chief Mitch Little today communicated the following investigation update in the fatal Christmas Day pedestrian death of Keith Elliott, 45, of Toms River.
The actual accident was reported on December 25th, 2016 at approximately 10:38am. Police and Medical unit were dispatched to the intersection of Highland Parkway and Herflicker Boulevard where they found the lifeless victim lying in the roadway. The victim who was later identified as Keith Elliott, 45, of Messenger St. in Toms River was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI, and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office were called to intersection to help the Toms River Township Police Department in the investigation. Toms River Police Traffic Safety Officer Adam Koeppen and Ocean County Prosecutor Detective Michael Proto were assigned lead investigators on the case.
The prior investigation found that, before his death; Mr. Elliott left his home heading towards the bus terminal on Highland Parkway. He had planned on taking the bus to Lacey Township where he was to spend Christmas day with his family. On December 26th, 2016 members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Toms River Police Department continued their investigation, observing traffic near the time of the crash. At about 10:15am (time of collision) a NJ transit bus traveling north on Highland Parkway made the right turn onto Herflicker Blvd. The bus was held for questioning on its possible involvement.
The partnering agencies found that the bus driver Wilson Anderson Jr., 60, of Sicklerville, NJ had worked the day before and while operating a different bus made the turn onto Herflicker Blvd after exiting the Highland Parkway bus terminal. They continued to report that Anderson came across a pedestrian near the area of the accident walking south towards the bus terminal who tried to flag him down and board the bus. Anderson allowed the pedestrian to cross in front of the bus while motioning that unfortunately he could not board the bus. To Mr. Anderson’s belief the gentleman continued to walk away from the bus toward the terminal as he made his turn onto Herflicker Blvd continuing his route.
Detectives from the Ocean County Police Department obtained video footage confirming Anderson’s bus leaving the terminal, turning onto Herflicker Blvd, and the unfortunate crash. Interviews between detectives and passengers collaborated the 60-year-old bus drivers’ story of being completely unaware on impacting the 45-year-old walker. The bus Mr. Anderson was driving at the time of the unfortunate accident was also examined proving that Keith Elliott was indeed struck by Anderson’s bus. No charges have been filed at this time.
