Deal police captain killed in off-duty car crash

NJ.com – by MaryAnn Spoto

OCEAN TOWNSHIP — An off-duty Deal police captain was killed Saturday morning when he lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole in Ocean Township, authorities said.

Capt. Earl B. Alexander 4^th died from his injuries in the single-car crash at Route 71 near Perrine Avenue at 12:38 a.m., said Ocean Township Detective Lt. Timothy Torchia.  

Torchia said Alexander was driving a 2007 Acura TSX south on Route 71 and was approaching Perrine Avenue when he lost control of the car. The vehicle flipped onto its side and slammed into a utility pole, he said.

The Deal Police Department posted the announcement on its Facebook page on Saturday afternoon.

“It is with deep regret and sadness that the Deal Police Department announces the sudden death of our Captain Earl Alexander. Captain Alexander passed away last night after being involved in a motor vehicle accident, the post said. “Please keep his family, friends and members of this department in your thoughts and prayers.”

Funeral arrangements had not yet been made.

Torchia said the investigation is still ongoing an he asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call the Traffic Safety Bureau at 732-531-1800.

Alexander was a former EMT and fire chief in Deal and started with the police department as a dispatcher.

Torchia said Alexander was not coming from or going to work when the crash occurred. He said there is no indication yet of what caused Alexander to run off the roadway at the time of the crash. He said it is unknown if alcohol was a factor at the time. An autopsy was performed and information regarding alcohol will be pending the toxicology report, he said.

http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2016/01/deal_police_captain_killed_in_off-duty_car_crash.html#incart_most_shared-monmouth