EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ — A fatal crash on Monday night in Egg Harbor Township has claimed the life of 72-year-old Joseph Natale of Somers Point. The accident, which took place around 9 p.m. on Blackman Road, involved Natale’s 2015 Honda CRV and a 2006 Mercury Mountaineer driven by 38-year-old Oriel Dixon of Egg Harbor Township. Authorities have confirmed that impaired driving was a factor in the incident.
According to the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Dixon was traveling north on Blackman Road when she veered across the center line into the southbound lanes. Her vehicle continued in the wrong direction before colliding head-on with Natale’s Honda CRV. The impact of the crash was severe, and despite emergency efforts to save him, Natale was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital.
Tobias Natale, the 28-year-old son of the deceased, was a passenger in the front seat of the Honda CRV. He sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Details regarding the extent of his injuries have not yet been disclosed, but he is expected to recover.
Oriel Dixon, the driver of the Mercury Mountaineer, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) following the collision. She and a juvenile male passenger in her vehicle sustained minor injuries and were treated by emergency medical services at the scene. Dixon has been taken into custody, and further charges are expected as the investigation into the crash continues.
The tragic incident has once again brought attention to the dangers of impaired driving. The Egg Harbor Township Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and has urged the public to make safe and responsible choices when behind the wheel. Authorities have emphasized the need for strict adherence to traffic laws to prevent further accidents like this one.
This heartbreaking event has left the Natale family in mourning and serves as a reminder to the community of the deadly consequences that impaired driving can have. The investigation is ongoing, and additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Authorities continue to stress the importance of road safety and remind drivers to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.