Milciades Oviedo (Photo: OCPO)
A man suspected of hitting a pedestrian early Sunday morning and leaving her to die on the pavement of Route 70 has been identified by police, but has yet to be arrested, authorities said Wednesday.
Utilizing information supplied by a “concerned citizen,” an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Toms River police resulted in law enforcement locating a Ford Explorer, the suspect vehicle, in Elizabeth, N.J., according to a statement. The investigation determined that Milciades Oviedo, 74, of Elizabeth, was operating the vehicle on when he struck and killed Sierra Fisher, 28, of Manchester.
Police formally charged Oviedo Tuesday.
Oviedo has not yet been taken into custody, and is considered a fugitive from justice, according to prosecutors. As such, a warrant for his arrest has been issued and his name has been entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
“Great teamwork has been exhibited by all of the respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation,” said Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer. “Our focus now is to find Milciades Oviedo and bring him into custody.”
According to witnesses, Fischer was struck near the intersection of Route 70 and New Hampshire Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning. The witnesses told police the driver exited his vehicle, looked at Ms. Fisher, and then fled in the vehicle east on Route 70 toward Lakewood, the statement said. Fischer was briefly revived by paramedics but ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
A witness described the suspect vehicle as a dark-colored 2003-2009 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was said to have significant damage to the front passenger side, including an inoperable passenger side headlight and hood damage.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Oviedo is being asked to contact Detective Anthony Carrington of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3257, or Corporal Robert Westfall at rwestfall@trpolice.org, or the Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau at 732-349-0150.
