Prosecutor: Both Drivers Involved in Fatal 2023 Crash Now Facing Vehicular Homicide Charges

Both drivers involved in a fatal two-vehicle collision last summer in Eatontown are now facing vehicular homicide charges after an investigation revealed they were both intoxicated at the time of the crash, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Monday.

Zyasia M. Henson, 28, of Long Branch and Edgar G. Marcial-Diaz, 32, of Red Bank, have both been charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and two counts of third-degree assault by auto stemming from the crash. Henson was also charged with two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree hindering apprehension.

Henson and Marcial-Diaz were charged last month pending future proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court. They were also both issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, failure to observe a traffic signal, and reckless driving.

The case background …

At 7:50 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, Eatontown police responded to the intersection of Route 35 and Broad Street on a report of a motor vehicle crash. At the scene of the crash they found 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, SC, and her 4- and 1-year-old sons. Wallace sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead 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.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office