COURT HOUSE — A local dentist, who lost his son July 21 to an allegedly intoxicated driver, is looking for public support to ensure the driver is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
A letter has been circulated from the Court House dental office of Lozier and Spagnolo, 6 Village Drive, requesting that anyone who knew Craig Lozier, Dr. Scott Lozier’s son, write letters to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
“According to the Prosecutor’s Office, there is a good chance that the State vs. Nicholas Golden will not go to trial,” the letter stated.
“Please write a letter explaining any experience you have had with Craig…The letter will be placed in the file and shown to the judge when a plea bargain is brought to the table.”
“My family and I are devastated by the loss of Craig,” Dr. Lozier told the Herald. “We just want there to be justice.”
On July 21, Craig Lozier was riding his motorcycle northbound on Route 47, about a mile from his home, when Nicholas Golden, driving his car in the opposite direction, crossed the median and struck Lozier head on. The 20-year-old Lozier was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lozier was a 2006 graduate of Middle Township High School who was studying business at West Virginia University.
Golden, and his passenger Kyle Zalot, both 18-year-olds from Philadelphia, were treated for minor injuries and released from Cape Regional Medical Center.
Police charged Golden with one count of death by auto (a second-degree crime), driving while intoxicated and other motor vehicle charges. According to reports, alcohol was not involved in the accident. It is believed, however, that illicit drugs were involved.
Following a subsequent search of Golden’s vehicle, he was also charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute both marijuana and Oxycodone.
According to the Taylor, defendants plead guilty in the vast majority of criminal cases.
“But it’s too early to say if this case is going to trial,” he told the Herald.
Taylor said the most experienced member of his team, First Assistant Prosecutor J. David Meyer, is handling the case.
The Prosecutor’s Office is awaiting reports from the New Jersey State Police as well as toxicology reports, Taylor said. Because the investigation is ongoing, Taylor could not comment further.
“We welcome any statements from members of the public in any case where there is a plea or finding of guilt,” county Prosecutor Robert Taylor said regarding the letter request. “They will be presented to the judge as part of a victim impact statement.”
The letters Dr. Lozier’s office requested would be aimed at preventing the court from showing Golden leniency.
“We are hoping that through these letters, it will help the Judge do the right thing and sentence Nicholas Golden to the maximum sentence allowed by law,” the request for letters stated.
When stories of the accident that caused Craig Lozier’s death were posted to the Herald’s Web site, an outpouring of comments (approximately 130) were attached; many of them were fond memories of his life by friends and family. Anyone who wrote one of those may wish to convey their sentiments to the Prosecutor’s Office.
The letter from Dr. Lozier’s office asks that correspondence be sent to: Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Victim Witness Statement, 4 Moore Road DN 110, Cape May Court House, NJ, 08210 or to hugits@comcast.net.
Dr. Lozier also asks that anyone who may have witnessed the accident contact police.
“If anybody saw anything with regards to the speed or character of driving at the accident scene, it could help police and the prosecutor in their investigation,” Lozier told the Herald. “Any little bit could help.”
In a related incident, Dennis Township resident Charles Nailie pleaded guilty Sept. 19 to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the drunken-driving death of 16-year-old Matthew Tozer.
On June 9, Nailie, who was headed westbound on Route 83, crossed over the centerline and struck Tozer as he rode his moped along the eastbound lane.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com
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