Pickup Truck Driver Charged After Pedestrian Fatally Hit on New Jersey Road

A New Jersey man faces significant charges after a pedestrian was murdered in Chatham Borough earlier this year, court documents show. Authorities said the motorist crashed while driving on the shoulder, a path reserved for emergencies.

The event occurred on Fairmount Avenue soon after noon on January 2. Investigators say 29-year-old Matthew Vining of Chatham Township was driving southbound when his pickup truck hit a 54-year-old woman walking on the shoulder. She died from her injuries.

According to court filings, Vining said officers his windshield was fogged up, restricting his view. It was reported that he did not see the pedestrian before the crash. Investigators found a 262-foot shoulder crash scene, suggesting the vehicle continued traveling after the initial hit.

Vining held the injured woman in the front yard of a nearby home when police arrived. The woman was semi-conscious. Despite rescue efforts, she died. Authorities haven’t named the victim.

Vining was charged with reckless vehicular homicide after the inquiry. He was arrested on Wednesday and freed on Thursday under court order. He had to forfeit his passport, agree to extradition, and avoid the victim’s family and friends, according to a judge.

The legal process is underway. At a March 23 pre-indictment session, prosecutors will decide how to continue with Vining. His lawyer wouldn’t comment on the case.

The incident highlighted roadway safety and the risks of driving on shoulders, especially in low-visibility situations. Law enforcement maintains that shoulders are for emergencies and stopped vehicles, not routine driving.

Local officials are still overseeing the inquiry, which has not been disclosed. As the case moves through court, officials say more information may become accessible.