Former Colts Neck Woman Dies In Hit-And-Run Accident In Florida

COLTS NECK, NJ — A former Colts Neck woman, 23, was the victim of a hit-and-run accident earlier this month in West Palm Beach, Fla., police there confirmed.

Madison Gerhard of Palm Beach was studying for her psychology degree and was known for her love of animals, her family said in her obituary.

The accident happened on the morning of July 8, and West Palm Beach investigators tracked down the driver and van by that afternoon, police said. His identity is not being released, pending the completion of the investigation.

According to Florida police, just before 5 a.m. on July 8, Ms. Gerhard was crossing from south to north in the 2900 block of 45th Street in West Palm Beach, just west of Interstate 95, when she was struck by the westbound driver.

The obituary for Madison Leigh Gerhard said she was born and raised in New Jersey and moved to Florida five years ago.

"Madison was kind, smart and beautiful. She adored animals and was blessed with a huge heart and generous spirit. We were privileged to have loved her," the obituary reads.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida.

She is survived by her parents, Peter and Kristen; siblings and nieces and nephew and many family members, as well as "her beloved kitten, Luna," the obituary reads.

Ms. Gerhard was finishing her psychology degree at Florida State University and was simultaneously preparing to take the State of Florida Real Estate Exam, according to the obituary.

She also had attended Brookdale Community College in Lincroft while still a student at Colts Neck High School, according to app.com.

A memorial service to honor her life was held Tuesday in Monmouth County.

In West Palm Beach, traffic homicide investigators determined the driver was traveling at around 55 miles an hour when he struck the victim, who died immediately, police said.

West Palm Beach homicide authorities conducted an investigation of the scene and evidence there and determined the make and model of the vehicle, a 1997 Chevrolet Astro van.

Detectives in the West Palm Beach Strategic Intelligence Center used that information to identify the van's location. Officers found the van early Saturday afternoon, parked at a home in the city's north side.

The damaged van was concealed in a fenced-in backyard. Investigators located the owner of the van, a 56-year-old West Palm Beach man, police said.

His name is being withheld pending the criminal investigation, but he agreed to be interviewed at police headquarters. During the interview, the man admitted to driving the van and striking "something significant," and leaving the scene, according to West Palm Beach police.

A seizure warrant was obtained and the van was impounded. DNA evidence was collected and sent to the lab for analysis.

Criminal charges are pending against the driver, pending results of the investigation and DNA evidence, police said.