Authorities seek hit-and-run driver who fatally struck man in South Toms River Monday

    Authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run collision involving a pedestrian that occurred in South Toms River early Monday evening.

    William Gaughan, 84, of South Toms River, was struck while walking in the eastbound lane of Dover Road at the intersection with Chamberlain Street near the 7-11 convenience store at 5:54 p.m., the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said in a release.

    The driver, whose vehicle is described by a witness as small and black or dark colored with possible damage to its front passenger side and windshield, continued east on Dover Road, possibly entering the Garden State Parkway northbound, authorities said.

    Gaughan was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he succumbed to severe head and body trauma at 7:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or has information regarding the vehicle and driver that fled the scene, is asked to contact South Toms River Police Department Det. William Kosh at (732) 349-0313 or Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Det. Craig Ally at (732) 814-4821. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit is also assisting.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal