Belmar Man Hit by Van, Killed in Brielle

Authorities say a man was struck and killed by a van while he walked his dog on a highway off-ramp in central New Jersey.

Brielle police tell the Asbury Park Press that 70-year-old Joseph Hillman Jr. of Belmar was struck early Wednesday morning on the Route 71 ramp that comes from Route 35 North. But it's still not known why Hillman was walking on the roadway.

Hillman was pronounced dead at the scene. The van driver, a 38-year-old Neptune City man, was not injured in the accident.

Hillman's dog was unharmed.

Authorities say it's not clear if the wintry weather played a role in the accident.

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