Long Branch Woman And Red Bank Man Charged In Connection With An August 2023 Fatal Vehicle Crash
Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 7:30 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
FREEHOLD, NJ.- Yesterday, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago reported, that following an investigation, both drivers involved in a fatal two-vehicle collision last summer in Eatontown, that claimed the life of a 23-year-old South Carolina woman were criminally charged when the investigation revealed that both drivers were intoxicated at the time of the crash.
According to the Prosecutor's Office, Zyasia M. Henson, 28, of Long Branch, New Jersey, and Edgar G. Marcial-Diaz, 32, of Red Bank, New Jersey, have both been charged with second-degree Vehicular Homicide; and two counts of third-degree Assault by Auto. Henson was additionally charged with two counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; and third-degree Hindering Apprehension.
The charges stem from an investigation that began on Thursday, August 24, 2023, when at approximately 7:50 p.m., members of the Eatontown Police Department responded to the intersection of Route 35 and Broad Street after receiving a 911 Emergency Call reporting a serious motor vehicle crash.
Upon arrival, Police Officers located two vehicles that had collided, a 2006 Nissan Altima, operated by Henson, and a 2002 Dodge Durango operated by Marcial-Diaz.
Marcial-Diaz was the only person in his vehicle, while Henson's Nissan had four relatives as passengers, which included a 26-year-old woman, 23-year-old Octavius Wallace of Lake City, South Carolina, and her two sons, a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old. Ms. Wallace sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Both drivers and Henson's 1-year-old son escaped serious injury, despite the baby being ejected from the vehicle in the crash. Henson's adult passenger and her older son sustained serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
The ensuing investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Eatontown Police Department determined that both drivers failed to acknowledge red lights in their direction of travel. The investigation determined that both drivers were under the influence of multiple intoxicating substances at the time of the crash.
Henson and Marcial-Diaz were criminally charged last month pending future court proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court. They were both issued multiple motor vehicle summonses including Driving While Intoxicated.
"The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt."
FILED UNDER: APRIL 30, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, MONMOUTH: