Homicide investigation into Paulsboro hit-and-run

Police say a hit-and-run accident in Paulsboro, New Jersey, is now being investigated as a homicide.

It happened around 4:00 a.m. Sunday in the 100 block of East Madison Avenue.

The victim, 30-year-old Eddie Warthen, was struck by a silver or gray four-door car.

Warthen was taken to Cooper Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Thomas Young says Warthen is his cousin. He learned the news Sunday morning.

"Everybody is taking it hard but what can you do, it's part of life, things happen," said Young.

Young says the driver backed up over his cousin before fleeing.

"Somebody runs him down then backed over him - that was it," he said.

It's not clear what Wharten was doing in the area but family members say he grew up nearby, had relatives here and often came back to visit.

Longtime friend James Lewis remembered Wharten's good nature.

"He was a good guy. He wasn't a bad person, he had a good heart," said Lewis.

On Sunday, detectives from the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office returned to the block looking for clues.

Police say they are looking for two people who fled in the striking vehicle. That vehicle is believed to have a lot of body damage.

Anyone with information is on the striking vehicle or the suspects are urged to contact the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office at 856-384-5626 or 856-423-1100.