Unusual Hit-And-Run Accident In South Jersey Under Investigation
By Todd Quinones
EVESHAM, N.J. (CBS) - Police in New Jersey know there is a victim, the problem is that they can't find him or her.
Investigators are hoping there is still time to find the person alive, but they were planning to bring out cadaver dogs Thursday morning to help in the search.
It is a massive search on the ground and in the air; complete with thermal imaging cameras used to find bodies in the dark. Firefighters and police in Cherry Hill and Evesham know the clock is ticking.
Police have a smashed windshield with blood and hair that tested positive as being human, but no victim. It is a hit-and-run like they've never seen.
"Usually you have a body and a witness or you have a driver who is able to give a little more details," Evesham Township Police Sgt. Joseph Friel said.
The 81-year-old driver of the car was pulled over Tuesday night in Evesham on suspicion of drinking and driving.
The officer then noticed front-end damage to the car and started asking questions, but the 81-year-old man from Cherry Hill was lost and thoroughly confused.
"Didn't appear in any way he was under the influence of any alcohol or drugs, a little disoriented. The victim knew he hit something, but really can't give us a location on where he hit it or what time he hit it," Friel said.
The driver left the Cherry Hill Mall at 6 Tuesday night and he was pulled over just after 8 along east Main Street in Marlton.
That leaves a two hour window for the collision, and a wide radius for police to search to try and find the victim.
"The area we're searching is two hours we can't account for," the Sgt. said.
There are no reports of any missing persons in the area.
Checks at hospitals have turned up nothing.
The search was called off Wednesday night. It was expected to resume Thursday morning.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen the Ford Taurus or who may have witnessed a collision to contact authorities at 856-983-1116.
