Day: April 29, 2024

Eatontown, Monmouth County

Both Drivers in Fatal Collision Charged with Vehicular Homicide

April 29, 2024

FREEHOLD – Both drivers involved in a fatal two-vehicle collision last summer in Eatontown have been criminally charged after an investigation revealed they were both intoxicated at the time of the crash, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Monday.

Zyasia M. Henson, 28, of Long Branch and Edgar G. Marcial-Diaz, 32, of Red Bank are both charged with second-degree Vehicular Homicide and two counts of third-degree Assault by Auto. Additionally, Henson is charged with two counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child as well as third-degree Hindering Apprehension. 

At approximately 7:50 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2023, members of the Eatontown Police Department responded to the intersection of Route 35 and Broad Street on a report of a motor vehicle crash; there they located the two involved vehicles, a 2006 Nissan Altima operated by Henson and a 2002 Dodge Durango operated by Marcial-Diaz.

Marcial-Diaz was the only occupant of his vehicle, while Henson’s vehicle had four relatives as passengers, including a 26-year-old woman, 23-year-old Octavius Wallace of Lake City, South Carolina, and her 4-year-old and 1-year-old sons. Wallace sustained catastrophic injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Both drivers and Henson’s 1-year-old son escaped serious injury, despite the infant child being ejected from the vehicle as a result of the crash. Henson’s adult female passenger and her older son sustained serious injuries and were transported to local medical facilities for treatment.   

An investigation involving members of the Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Serious Collision Response Team (SCART), and the Eatontown Police Department ultimately determined that both drivers failed to stop for red lights on their respective sides of the roadway. The investigation also determined that both drivers were under the influence of one or more intoxicating substances at the time of the crash.

Henson and Marcial-Diaz were criminally charged last month pending future proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court. They were also both issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Observe a Traffic Signal, and Reckless Driving.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau. Marcial-Diaz is being represented by John Murphy III, with an office in Staten Island, while Henson is being represented by Raymond L. Hamlin, with an office in Newark.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
Hazlet, Monmouth County

Investigation Into a String of Arsons in Hazlet Leads to Arrest

April 29, 2024

FREEHOLD – An investigation into a string of arsons taking place on adjacent residential properties in Hazlet over the last five months has yielded an arrest, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Hazlet Police Chief Robert Mulligan jointly announced on Monday.    

Albert Caporaso, 49, of Hazlet is charged with seven counts of second-degree Aggravated Arson and single counts of third-degree Criminal Mischief and fourth-degree Resisting Arrest.    

On Saturday, December 2, 2023, members of the Hazlet Police Department and local firefighters responded to a pair of structure fires affecting abandoned homes on South Laurel Avenue in Hazlet. It was the first of six such callouts to the same addresses in all, with subsequent fires reported a week later, on Saturday, December 9, and on various dates in each of the next four months.

An investigation by members of the Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Hazlet Police Department resulted in Caporaso being identified as a suspect in the case. On the night of Thursday, April 25, while conducting surveillance in the area, members of the Hazlet Police Department spotted Caporaso attempting to set fire to a storage shed on one of the properties, and they took him into custody. He was then lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) to await a first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 1.  

Anyone with additional information about Caporaso’s activities is urged to contact MCPO Detective Michael Donovan III at 800-533-7443 or Hazlet Police Department Detective Russell Surdi at 732-264-0763.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau. Information about Caporaso’s legal representation was not immediately available.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Mercer County

Former Hamilton Fire Chief Richard Kraemer Named Mercer County OEM Director

April 29, 2024

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Executive Dan Benson announced Chief Richard Kraemer as the new Mercer County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator.

Kraemer comes to Mercer County after spending over 20 years in Hamilton Township Fire Service and eventually serving as Executive Head of the Hamilton Township Fire Division. Prior to his appointment as Executive head of Hamilton’s newly-consolidated fire service, he served as Chief for Hamilton Fire District 6. Kraemer will be replacing recently retired OEM Coordinator Robert Hartmann.

“With the recent pandemic, changing landscape of natural disasters, and the new requirements of emergency preparedness, Mercer County Emergency Management finds itself at a critical point. Strong leadership will be required as we navigate the challenges ahead. Thank you to County Executive Benson for the opportunity to continue serving the community,” said Richard Kraemer, newly appointed Mercer County OEM Director.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to appoint someone of Chief Kraemer’s caliber. He will be invaluable in establishing and maintaining the strong relationships with our local, county, and state emergency management partners,” said Ana Montero, Deputy Administrator of Public Health & Safety.

“Chief Kraemer is an outstanding choice for OEM Director. He has my full faith and confidence that he will ensure we have a top-notch Office of Emergency Management,” said Mercer County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman John A. Cimino.

“Chief Kraemer did a first-class job running the Hamilton Fire Division, and I know he will bring that same decisive leadership to Mercer County,” said County Executive Dan Benson.

Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin along with Hamilton Fire Chief Richard Kraemer unveiled the Hamilton Township Fire Division plaque on July 1, 2021

Mercer County, Robbinsville

Route 130 Reopened in Robbinsville after Crash Investigation

April 29, 2024

Update: According to Robbinsville Township OEM Route 130 has been reopened.

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–At 11:35 a.m. Robbinsville Police, Robbinsville Fire Department and EMS responded to the area of 1203 Route 130 between Woodside Road and Gordon Road for a crash with entrapment. A person was extricated and transported to the hospital. The roadway is currently closed for a serious crash investigation. No additional details are available at this time. Avoid the area if possible.

Robbinsville Township Office of Emergency Management states Route 130 is closed between Woodside Road and Meadowbrook Road in both directions due to a motor vehicle crash. Please avoid the area.