RIO GRANDE – The driver suspected of being at fault for the head on collision on Route 47 April 24, which took two lives and injured two others, has been found to have had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit.
The toxicology report on Stephen Carsten, 29, of Millville, showed a blood alcohol level of .223, according to Middle Township Police Captain John Edwards. In New Jersey, the legal limit is .08.
Prior to the crash, witnesses observed Carsten’s vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, and passing on double yellow lines. As the vehicle was approaching a bend in the road, it sideswiped a red Ford Taurus driven by James McDonnell, 66, of North Cape May. The Chevy Malibu continued in the opposite lane of travel striking a Silver Infiniti head on, driven by Jeffrey Natale, 19, of Del Haven.
The crash, which occurred just south of the Wildwood Water Works bend, took the lives of Carsten and Natale.
Two were injured and were airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Division, including McDonnell who was driving a third vehicle and a 17-year-old passenger who was in Natale’s vehicle.
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Previous Coverage:
The Middle Township Police Department responded to a serious motor vehicle crash on SH 47, just south of the Wildwood Water Works bend April 24 at 10:04 p.m.
A white Chevy Malibu driven by Stephen Carsten, 29, of Millville, NJ, was traveling north on SH 47. Witnesses observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, and passing on double yellow lines. As the vehicle was approaching a bend in the road, it sideswiped a red Ford Taurus driven by James McDonnell, 66, of North Cape May. The Chevy Malibu continued in the opposite lane of travel striking a Silver Infiniti head on. The Infiniti was driven by Jeffrey Natale, 19, of Del Haven, with a 17-year-old front seat passenger.
As a result of the crash, Jeffrey Natale and Stephen Carsten were killed on impact. James McDonnell and the 17-year-old passenger were airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Division.
Green Creek Fire Company with the assistance of Rio Grande Fire Company responded to the scene, along with Medics from AtlantiCare, Rio Grande Rescue, and Middle Township Rescue.
The crash is still under investigation by the Middle Township Fatal Crash team, Major Crime Unit, and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
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