$20K reward offered for info on fatal Route 15 hit-and-run

Authorities are asking for the public's help regarding a man who was apparently fatally struck by a motor vehicle on Route 15 last month.

Authorities have no leads at this time regarding a fatal hit-and-run crash on Route 15 early Saturday morning, and are asking for the public's help. (File photo)South Jersey Times

JEFFERSON -- Authorities are asking for the public's help on an apparent hit-and-run crash on Route 15 last month in which a 24-year-old Jefferson man was killed.

The family of Michael Adams has also offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Jefferson poilce Chief William Craig said in a joint news release on Thursday.

Adams was found in the roadway on Route 15 north at about 3:06 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 after leaving Club 15 Gentlemen's Club, Jefferson police Deputy Chief Eric Wilsusen previously told NJ Advance Media. Adams, who sustained injuries to his mid and upper torso, was taken to St. Clare's Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

It's believed Adams, who lived less than a mile away from the club, was walking back home after last call at 3 a.m. when he was struck on his left side by a vehicle while walking in a lane of travel, Wilsusen previously said. That section of Route 15 has no shoulder -- as the guardrails abut the roadway -- and the area is not lit.

Adams was a lifelong resident of Jefferson and a graduate of Pope John XXIII High School, Knapp and Craig said in the news release on Thursday. Adams, who also attended Montclair State University, was a driver for High Grade Beverage, a part-time cook at Mason Street Pub, and he served in the United States Army Reserves, they said.

Wilsusen said last month township police had no leads regarding the apparent hit-and-run crash. A number of people stopped to help Adams but no witnesses to the actual crash had yet come forward, he said at the time. It's also not clear what type of vehicle struck Adams as no debris was recovered from the scene of the crash.

The investigation remains active and ongoing by both township police and the prosecutor's office. Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying anyone who may have knowledge of this incident or of the circumstances leading to Adams' death.

Anyone with more information on this incident can contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200 or the Jefferson Township Police Department at 973-697-1300.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by visiting the Morris County CrimeStoppers' website, calling 973-COP-CALL (973-267-2255), or texting 274637 using the key word "MORRISTIP."

Neither the prosecutor's office nor township police are involved with the reward being offered by the family.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.