Pedestrian killed in Burlington County hit-and-run identified

ByBob Brooks WPVI logo
Monday, October 31, 2016
VIDEO: Hit-and-run in Burlington Co.
A pedestrian has died after being struck in a hit-and-run on Sunday in Burlington County, New Jersey.

WESTAMPTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- Police have identified the pedestrian struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in what appears to have been a tragic accident in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Investigators say 66-year-old Wayne Williams, Jr. of Willingboro was walking on Rancocas Road in Westhampton when he was struck by a white SUV.

It happened Sunday evening.

Police say the driver did not stop.

But they did receive a call a short time later from a woman in her 60s who said she thought she hit a deer on Rancocas Road.

Police now believe the woman is the driver who hit Williams, but didn't realize it and kept going.

"The male was wearing all dark clothing," said Westampton Township Police Lieutenant Brian Ferguson. "This area right here is a state park behind the police station. A lot of it is no hunting, and it is loaded with deer."

Police also said the part of the road where Williams was found has a very narrow shoulder.

They trying to determine if Williams was walking along the shoulder or was actually in the road when he was struck.

Ferguson said detectives at this point are investigating the incident as an accident, not a criminal matter.

Ferguson says when the woman was told what happened she couldn't believe it.

"She's a nurse," he told Action News. "She was pretty shaken up about the incident."

No charges have been filed in the case. The investigation continues.