Police make arrest in Franklin hit-and-run, say victim's life 'will never be the same'

Anthony V. Coppola, Vineland Daily Journal
·2 min read

FRANKLIN TWP. - Police have charged a Vineland woman in connection with what they called a "near fatal" hit-and-run involving a pedestrian on Delsea Drive back in July.

The Franklin Township Police Department announced this month that 34-year-old Michelle Sheppard of Vineland was arrested following a month-long investigation into the incident that left a 63-year-old Newfield woman critically injured when she was struck crossing the roadway by Dollar General at 303 Delsea Drive.

Police said they recovered a small part of the vehicle believed to be involved in the hit-and-run at the scene and used its serial number to determine the make and model of Sheppard's car.

Franklin Township detectives used video surveillance from the area and found a potential vehicle match and suspect at the Malaga Wawa just prior to the crash, which occurred around 8:12 p.m. on July 31.

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Police say they posted a photo of the possible suspect on Facebook and an anonymous tip led them to Sheppard. According to police, detectives located Sheppard and seized her vehicle, which had front-end damage consistent with a motor vehicle crash.

Authorities said they used a search warrant on Sheppard's car and collected evidence, including matching the part recovered at the crash scene to her vehicle.

Sheppard was arrested and charged with:

  • Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily injury.

  • Endangering an injured victim.

  • Driving while suspended causing serious bodily injury.

  • Assault by auto causing serious bodily injury.

  • Multiple traffic offenses.

The victim was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in critical condition at the time of the crash.

"The victim in this case has survived, however, after going through countless surgeries her life will never be the same," Franklin Township Police Department Deputy Chief Matthew Decesari said.

Sheppard was lodged in Salem County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing. The charges against Sheppard are only allegations. She has not been convicted in the case.

A South Jersey native, Anthony Coppola has handled a variety of beats at The Daily Journal, Courier-Post and Burlington County Times, including award-winning work in sports and business coverage. Coppola, who joined the staff in 2008, now focuses on public safety enterprise reporting.

This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: Vineland woman charged in hit-and-run outside Franklin Dollar General