Toms River Man Charged In Connection With December Fatal Hit And Run

A 27-year-old Toms River man has been charged in connection with a December fatal hit-and-run, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and South Toms River Police Chief Andrew Izatt.

Joseph E. Marsh, 27, of Toms River, was arrested Friday for the December fatal pedestrian hit and run in South Toms River.    

On Dec. 16, 2013, at approximately 5:54 p.m., the South Toms River Police Department responded to a hit-and-run involving an 84-year old pedestrian. The victim was struck in the eastbound lane on Dover Road at the intersection of Chamberlain Street near the 7-Eleven, according to authorities.  The suspect vehicle immediately fled the area, as bystanders called 911 for assistance. 

The victim, William Gaughan, 84, of South Toms River was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center with severe head and body trauma. Gaughan succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m. on the same night he was struck.

After an intense investigation, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the South Toms River Police Department arrested Marsh Friday, approximately 3:45 p.m., at the law office of James R. Lisa, 618 Newark Ave., Suite 220, Jersey City, NJ. 

It is alleged that Joseph E. Marsh caused the death of William P. Gaughan by driving his 2012 Kia Optima recklessly, specifically by talking on his cell phone, and striking the victim as he was walking across Dover Road in South Toms River.

The complaint summons filed in the case also allege Marsh left the scene of the accident and replaced the vehicles damaged windshield, vacuumed debris, and removed identifying articles (license Plates, registration, insurance documents) from his vehicle.

Marsh is charged with vehicular homicide, knowingly leaving a motor vehicle accident with serious bodily injury, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering apprehension.

Marsh has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail on $200,000 bail, with no ten percent option, set by Judge Francis R. Hodgson, Jr.