Mike DiTondo, 56, Dies in Route 9 Crash in Lower Township as DUI Charges Are Filed

 LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Mike DiTondo, 56, died following a fatal motor vehicle crash on Route 9 in the Erma section of Lower Township on October 1, 2026. Another man, 36, was seriously injured in the collision. The circumstances are now the subject of an investigation involving the Lower Township Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, with authorities having announced criminal charges in connection with the crash.

According to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, DiTondo was one of two occupants inside a vehicle involved in the collision. The other occupant, a 36-year-old man, suffered serious injuries. Authorities have not released the injured man’s identity or provided additional details about his condition beyond the initial report. The available information also does not establish the precise sequence of events leading to the crash.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of 19-year-old Edward McVey of Erma. Authorities announced the charges on October 2, identifying counts of second-degree vehicular homicide involving DUI, third-degree assault by auto involving DUI, and fourth-degree assault by auto involving a handheld device. Prosecutors have not released all of the evidence or investigative details supporting the allegations, and the case remains active.

McVey was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility while awaiting further court proceedings. The charges are allegations, not findings of guilt, and McVey is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. As investigators continue reviewing the crash, additional information may clarify the events surrounding the collision and the evidence authorities say supports the charges filed against him.

For DiTondo’s family, friends, and loved ones, the legal proceedings are unfolding alongside the immediate reality of his death. Authorities have not provided information about his career, personal background, accomplishments, or memorial arrangements. Without those details, the public record offers only a limited picture of the 56-year-old man beyond his involvement in the fatal Route 9 collision. His death nevertheless represents a personal loss for those who knew him.

The investigation is continuing, and authorities are seeking information that could help establish the circumstances of the crash. Anyone with relevant information has been asked to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office or call 609-465-1135. Anonymous tips are also accepted through the prosecutor’s office. Investigators may use additional witness accounts or evidence as they work to develop a complete understanding of what occurred on Route 9.

Mike DiTondo’s death has left his family and loved ones mourning while the investigation moves forward. The serious injuries suffered by another occupant and the criminal allegations against McVey have added further significance to the ongoing case, but the available information remains preliminary in several respects. As authorities continue their review and the legal process proceeds, additional details may emerge. For now, DiTondo is remembered with dignity as those closest to him face the difficult days following his sudden death.