Pedestrian critically hurt in Middle Township hit-and-run

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — A 48-year-old woman was hospitalized with critical injuries early Saturday after a hit-and-run pedestrian crash in Middle Township, according to Daily Voice.

Middle Township Police said the incident occurred at the intersection of Route 47 (South Delsea Drive) and 5th Street, in the city’s Rio Grande area. First responders were called to the scene shortly after 1:50 a.m.

Details are limited, but Elijah Bethel, a 21-year-old man from Wildwood Crest, is believed to have been driving a Nissan Altima when the car hit the female pedestrian, a West Wildwood resident.

First responders rushed the victim to Atlantic Care Regional Medical Center City Division, where she was listed in critical but stable condition.

Though Bethel fled the scene in the Nissan, he was later located and taken into custody. He faces multiple charges, including “Driving while Intoxicated, Assault by Auto, Knowingly Leaving a Motor Vehicle Accident with Serious Bodily Injury,” as well as a number of motor vehicle summonses.

A section of Route 47 was blocked off for about 3 hours during a multi-agency investigation which included the Middle Township Crash Team, Middle Township Major Crimes Unit, and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.