Morris County Woman Charged In Fatal Crash With Jogger: Police

PEQUANNOCK TOWNSHIP, NJ - A Morris County woman has been charged in connection with a deadly Pequannock car crash that killed a female pedestrian in June, authorities said.

Maria Oliveri, age 35, of Riverdale, was charged with vehicular homicide, assault by auto and related motor vehicle offenses, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph K. Kimker and Pequannock Township Police Chief Daniel Comune announced Saturday.

An investigation into the June 11 crash found that a Mitsubishi Mirage driven by Oliveri was traveling the wrong way in the southbound lane of 157 Boulevard when it struck a 32-year-old female bicyclist and a 55-year-old female pedestrian.

The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The bicyclist sustained bodily injuries as a result of the crash, police said.

Several media outlets have identified the pedestrian as Jill Altman Russo, a mother of three, who was jogging at the time of the crash. A GoFundMe started for the family described Russo as “a strong, beautiful, loving single mother” whose “sudden departure has left two teenage children and one child in her early 20’s (all three in college) without a mother.”

One of Russo’s children is Rowan University women’s basketball player Reagan Russo, whose team offered condolences in a Facebook post in June:

“From nearly having a perfect attendance at every game home or away this season, to the support Jill constantly showed, to the kind words Jill had for our players, coaching staff, and University… we are absolutely heartbroken. It is clear that Jill touched the lives of SO many in her community and undoubtedly would’ve done the same at Rowan.”

Members of the Pequannock Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit assisted in the investigation that led to the charges against Oliveri.

Those with any information related to the investigation are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200 or the Pequannock Township Police Department at 973-835-1700.