FREEHOLD, NJ – 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. Henson faces additional charges of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and 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. Marcial-Diaz was the lone occupant of his car, while Henson was driving with four relatives, including a woman, Octavius Wallace of Lake City, South Carolina, and two young children.
An investigation found that both drivers failed to stop for red lights on their sides of the roadway and were under the influence of intoxicating substances during the collision. This tragic incident led to the death of Octavius Wallace, while others suffered varying degrees of injuries.
Henson and Marcial-Diaz were charged last month and received summonses for various offenses related to the crash. They are set for future proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court.
The prosecution for this case is led by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano. Marcial-Diaz is represented by John Murphy III from Staten Island, and Henson is represented by Raymond L. Hamlin from Newark.
Every defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, with all the trial rights protected by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
