NJ Man Charged In Crash That Killed 8-Year-Old: State Police

MANTUA, NJ - A New Jersey man was charged in a fiery crash in South Jersey last month that claimed an 8-year-old and injured three others, authorities said.

Franklin Diaz Sr., 31, of Camden, was charged May 27 with death by auto, assault by auto, knowingly endangering another person, violation of law intended to protect public safety and health and causing death or injury while being suspended or unlicensed, a spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police told Patch.

The charges stem from a May 27 crash around 1:47 p.m. on Route 55 near milepost 52.9 in Mantua Township in which a Subaru traveling north struck a Honda on the driver’s side and lost control, state police said.

The Subaru then traveled off the left edge of the pavement, struck an overpass abutment and caught fire, state police said.

As a result of the crash, an 8-year-old passenger sustained fatal injuries, state police said. Two adults and another juvenile were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The left lane of Route 55 northbound was closed for around 6 hours, resulting in “major traffic congestion,” state police said. The crash remains under investigation.