Camouflaged turkey hunter struck twice, killed on Route 70

SOUTHAMPTON – A hunter's "very elaborate" camouflage made him less visible to drivers on Route 70, where he was struck and killed early Monday, said a New Jersey State Police spokesman.

The man, likely a turkey hunter, was carrying a shotgun and camouflage blanket and was dressed in leafy camouflage gear, said Capt. Steven Jones of the state police.

The hunter parked off Route 70 near Skeet Road, and attempted to cross the roadway around 5:20 a.m., when he was struck by a white Mercedes wagon that knocked him into the eastbound lane, Jones said.

Initially believing he had hit a deer, the driver pulled over, got out of his car and saw a man's boot in the roadway. That's when he realized he had struck a person, Jones said.

The driver soon saw a tractor trailer heading down still-dark Route 70. He waved his hands, trying to signal the driver to stop. But the trucker struck the hunter and kept going, Jones said.

When the truck driver arrived at work, he saw a report about the accident and returned to the scene, Jones said. Like the first driver, he said he initially thought he had hit a deer.

No charges have been filed against either driver pending an investigation.

Police are not releasing the victim's name as they have yet to notify his next of kin.

The hunter's gear might have put him at greater risk, Jones said.

"At that time of night, and with no streetlight, the camouflage certainly would have played a role in the man being less visible when he was in the roadway," he said.