EATONTOWN – Two drivers have been criminally charged after being found to be both driving while intoxicated, resulting in a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred last year, officials said.
Zyasia M. Henson, 28, of Long Branch and Edgar G. Marcial-Diaz, 32, of Red Bank were 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.
The crash occurred on August 24, 2023, at around 7:50 p.m. at the intersection of Route 35 and Broad Street. Marcial-Diaz was driving a 2002 Dodge Durango. He was the sole occupant of the car. Henson was driving a 2006 Nissan Altima and had four passengers: 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.
According to officials, 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 car. Henson’s adult female passenger and her older son sustained serious injuries and were transported to local medical facilities for treatment.
Officials said that both drivers failed to stop for red lights on their respective sides of the roadway. Investigators later 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 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.
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.
