Manslaughter Charge For Driver In South Jersey Fatal DWI Crash: Police

EGG HARBOR TWP., NJ — The driver who was under the influence in a head-on crash this past December that killed a Somers Point man has now been charged with aggravated manslaughter and child endangerment, Egg Harbor Township police said.

Oriel Dixon, 38, was jailed on Feb. 22, police said in a news release. The Egg Harbor Township woman crossed over the center line of Blackman Road and collided head-on with Joseph Natale, 72, on Dec. 16, 2024, police previously said. Read more: Man Killed In Head-On DWI Crash In South Jersey: Police

Natale was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries, police said. The front seat passenger, Tobias Natale, 28, was also injured and hospitalized, though police did not share the extent of his injuries.

Dixon and her juvenile male passenger were evaluated for minor injuries.

These new charges are in addition to the driving while intoxicated charge that Dixon received at the time of the crash. This is the result of a two-month investigation into the crash, police said.

Dixon was taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending a detention hearing.