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Middletown Father and Son, 6, Killed in Holmdel Crash

Two-car accident on Van Schoick Road Sunday morning.

 

A Sunday morning car accident killed a Middletown man and his six-year-old son and left his daughter and two others seriously injured, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed.

First Assistant Prosecutor Marc LeMieux said the two-car crash on Van Schoick Road occurred at 10:09 a.m. A blue Subaru driven by George DiCostanzo, 38, of Middletown and a white Jeep Cherokee driven by John McCormack, 44, of Middletown.

DiCostanzo’s son, six-year-old Christopher, and daughter, four-year-old Pearl were also in the vehicle, LeMieux said. DiCostanzo was pronounced dead at the scene. Christopher DiCostanzo was transported to Riverview Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:27 a.m. Pearl DiCostanzo was taken to Jersey Shore University but was expected to survive, according to LeMieux.

McCormack and his passenger, Stephanie Pavlicek, 38, of Middletown, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Holmdel police conducted an investigation at the scene along with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Serious Collision Accident Reconstruction Team. The mangled cars remained on the roadway through Sunday afternoon, with Middletown police redirecting traffic around Van Schoick Road accident scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the crash can contact Patrolman Joseph Van Pelt of the Holmdel Police Department at  732-946-4400 or Detective Tim Kerecman of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 732-431-7160 x7920. 

Funeral services have been announced by the John E. Day funeral home in Red Bank. See this article for information. 

Related Topics: Christopher DiCostanzo, George DiCostanzo, and Van Schoick Road Accident

Lucy

1:52 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

What is the reasoning for posting such graphic pictures of such a horrific accident where lives were lost? Do you not have any respect for the victim's family?

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maria pereira

6:30 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Don't see any graphic pictures, what are you talking about?

MiddletownResident

2:05 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

Graphic pictures?? I just went through all of them, I don't know where you see "graphic" images...I didn;t see blood or body parts ect...now THAT would be graphic.

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Medic1659

4:07 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

So let me try to understand, photos of cars as pictured here are horrific and graphic, so when we turn on the evening news and the major networks broadcast the lastest accident, house fire or similiar type incident I suppose this is disrespectful and irresponsible. It is the purpose and job of the media to report daily the bad and good of the human experience. So please stop being a censor or see how far your argument would get a response from the New York and New Jersey media outlets.

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Linda

7:18 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

I was traveling from Holmdel at 4:00 & the road was still closed.

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gongshow22

8:08 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

The main point here is that lives were lost and families are suffering this loss. Graphic photos? Road still closed? It's the people that were lost or are now suffering that counts.

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Diane

8:23 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

I'm curious if everyone was wearing seatbelts and whether there was any texting or cell phone use involved. This is a tragedy that gives me nightmares and I just pray that God will bless the souls that passed and ease the heartache of those who are suffering.

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Anna P.L.

9:07 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

I feel so bad for the( mom)(wife's )(woman) that she lost so much this morning ,she still in pain for the girl at hospital .
Just do not give up .have hope !(not easy )

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Shoregal

10:09 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

That area is heavily populated with deer. There were 5 deer out on Takolusa Dr. at noon the other day. I am seeing so many deer all over at this time. Would not be surprised if he was swerving to avoid a deer. Such a sad story.

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Frank Di Paolo

7:35 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

The speed limit should be reduced on Van Schoick to 30 mph. Drivers in a rush to get on the pkwy often speed through that section. Lowering the speed limit may save lives and it wouldn't be difficult or cost much to implement.

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Marlene Prado

4:40 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

The speeding cars is for both ways exiting the parkway and for entering the parkway, some peolple flies over that road and the worst part talking by phone.I thinks, building some fences to contain the deers will may help too. During the night I don't feel confortable driving 45mph because of the posible deer crossing plus the poor illumination.

Marie

8:31 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

My prayers go out to this family that suffered such a loss and also for Pearl that remains in critical condition. No matter what the reasons were behind the accident, the outcome will not change that it was tragic. It is my hope that this family will get the support they will need to get through this ordeal.

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Justmeasking

8:59 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

My Daughter and Son-In-Law arrived right after this happened, my Daughter is trained in CPR and did all she could for that young boy with the help of a pediatric surgeon who also happened to pull up on the scene.

My two young grandsons were in the car with my Daughter and Son-In-Law and had they been a few moments earlier it could have been them involved in that accident.

When they got home we all just hugged each other and prayed to god for the victims and their family.

Please be kind with your comments until all the facts are in in regard to blame etc. Remember the loved ones that are left behind, they need all of our thoughts and prayers.

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Lunia Dias

10:59 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

Good Morning,
I just want to say God Bless your Daugher in Law for being so courageous. We need more people like her. May her tribe increase, to the Pediatric Physician, God Bless You!

So, what do we do at such a sad time for the family, and the community. Reach out and love each other and pray to God and ask for His strength, as we as a community walk through such a terrible tradgedy.

Lunia

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Cara C.

3:51 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

I went to highschool with George, and he was a funny, spirited and popular kid. He was two years older than me, but I still remember him.

James

9:04 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

I use this road very often and it is heart breaking to read this news. I pray that this family that lost the dear ones will find all the courage and hope and get through this difficult time.

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Kayla

9:36 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

Ambulance chaser!! Seriously, do you really think no one knows what you are doing by posting this??

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Renee

9:25 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Definitely looks like an ambulance chaser! His advertisement for his practice was posted as the sponsor right above the photos of this heart wrenching story. How low can one go? This poor lady's life was tragically torn apart and he is worried about getting publicity .

JosephGhabourLaw

9:38 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family members and friends of those who lost their lives, and those injured. The hearts and prayers of our entire firm goes out those affected by this tragedy.

I am not pointing fingers, by any means. What I will do is state that slowing down, taking a few extra minutes, can often be the key to everybody arriving home safely. Every week our roads seem to have more accidents The one part of this trend we can control is our own driving. Sadly, don’t swerve due to animals or debris in the road – no deer, no flat tire, no trying to catch up with the morning schedule – is worth more than arriving home safely.

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SAP1213

10:33 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

I've seen a lot of deer on that road. Some of then being huge bucks. Hitting one of those is like hitting a small vehicle and can cause serious injuries and vehicle damage. It's bad.

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Brookes mom

10:51 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

Justmeasking; you are so right. We should be kind and compassionate to those who suffered a loss due to this ACCIDENT.....and barb? ...I really don't understand your comment, but you seem angry about something and maybe this isn't the venue to vent it. Everyone be careful out there...and be grateful for each day.

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Kayla

10:55 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

JosephGhabourLaw find posts where people are in accidents and then post his "words of condolences" Looks up the term Ambulance chaser, it really is disgusting!

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JosephGhabourLaw

11:55 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

Barb:
I wish there were no accidents. But there are. And we're in the community, just I as I assume you are. I am just as upset as any other local over such a horrid tragedy.

If my motives were purely profit, I wouldn't be supporting events such as;
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trips-for-Kids-Jersey-Off-Road-Bicycle-Association/182735371841312?ref=stream

If you know of a child who wishes to learn about mountain biking, send them that way. Or perhaps you can start labeing people "bicycle chasers" and see if that reduces the number of bicycle accidents in New Jersey vs. supporting events that help kids learn how to bicycle safely and avoid accidents.

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Justmeasking

1:34 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Barb is right JosephGhabourLaw, you offer condolences but your motive is to advertise your law firm...

Just because you support worthy causes doesn't atone for your unprofessionalism...

I have seen you post on the Patch many times and your posts are always the same and they are always when an accident is involved...

Stop praying on people who have just experienced a tragedy... It's tasteless and extremely unprofessional...

If you want to offer condolences then do not use your law firms name...

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Kayla

2:07 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Feel bad talking about this after such a horrible event but this needs to stop! You can find him on every towns' patch doing this...Heartless.. I'm done here...

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Clarenceworley

6:27 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

I'm not really seeing the "ambulance chaser" part of this. Regardless of what he does for a living he seems to be offering supportive words in times of tragedy. Unless he's putting "1-800-SUE-AGUY" at the end of his posts, why crucify him?

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Kayla

5:52 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Oh really Mr ClarenceWorley? Check out his posting history..Simply disgusting!!

Pam

10:55 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

What a horrible tragedy. My heartfelt sympathies to this man's wife as well as his parents and family. You have my prayers.

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karyn

1:57 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

My heart goes out to this mom & wife who lost her love ones. I pray her little girl is okay.

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Joe Cool

3:48 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

So I post a few facts about the accident and the patch removes my post, however they allow JosephGhabourLaw to troll for clients after such a terrible accident...the patch really sucks

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Jacklyn Corley

3:59 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Hi Joe,

Unconfirmed speculation of what may have led to the accident was deleted. You may have knowledge of what is going on inside the accident investigation, but unless we as a news organization have confirmed facts about what actually occurred, we're not going to run it.

Pam Curchin

4:36 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

What a terrible tragedy for one family to face. Whatever the reasons for the accident are the outcome is still the same. Lives are lost and a family is forever shattered. My prayers go out to the family and friends and also to the poor man and his son. May they rest in peace.

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Marlene Prado

4:44 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

The speeding cars is for both ways exiting the parkway and for entering the parkway, some peolple flies over that road and the worst part talking by phone.I thinks, building some fences to contain the deers will may help too. During the night I don't feel confortable driving 45mph because of the posible deer crossing plus the poor illumination.My prayers for both families.

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Susan S

5:17 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

My thoughts are with the family - this is just horrible. I do hope you update with details of the accident. I drive on that road so often I just can't imagine how an accident this bad occurred. The reasons behind it could be useful in preventing it from happening again. I'm not looking to blame anyone, just want to learn ways to keep my family and myself safer.

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ResidentM

6:03 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

The news article is about a tragedy that we all wish we wouldn't be reading about. We all can wonder and some even "speculate" on what happened that morning. We do have facts, that two people died, three were badly injured and families shattered. Responders and good Samaritans and even readers of the patch have to remember this day and hope we never have to go through such a terrible thing. If "praying" for them is not your thing, then just think of these families and channel compassion to them and forget about what may have happened and don't speculate. Even if you are part of the investigation and may know something, let the authorities release that info. God bless these families.

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Tom Brokaw

6:24 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

It is funny that the patch only allows non-sense to be posted in the main articles. The patch is a news organization? Are you kidding. It is only used so people can posty nasty things anonymously on here and get their rocks off. Delusions of grandeur. Wow.

Joe Cool - keep re posting it so we can see the truth.

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Joanne Corley

8:12 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Prayersfor thefamily....what a horrific accident ...If any good can come of this would be to mske us all more cautious"

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jvalentino

8:43 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

i have not stopped thinking about it since i glanced at the Press on my lunch break.
just taking a look at the crushed Suburu, the obvious question would be was what was the rate of speed of the vehicle that hit it. excessive speed on the roads is a daily occurence, and it happens morning, noon, and night. i am sick at this tragedy and i feel so bad, for the little girl, and her mother.

Bayratt

8:36 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Right now we should all stop pointing fingers, and speculating. Pray for this Wife/Mom, she just lost her husband and baby boy.Her daughter is injured, Her life will never be the same. thisi is a tragedy, Put yourself in her place. My prayers are with Pearl, fora full recovery, both physical and mental And for the mom, to find some peace and solace.

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Jackie

12:06 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

This is just terrible.
I have a local buisness and want to raise money for the family. Does anyone know of there is any fund set up yet? Reading a story like gives me chills. This poor woman wakes up and her life is forever changed.

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Eross

11:37 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012

Hi, you may want to contact the principal at Middletown village. The boy was a student there, as are my kids. The Pfa may be setting something up to help the family out. Karen zupancic is the principal. Such a terrible tragedy

dolores

1:38 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

As a mom of four and grandmother of twin one year olds I just can't get this poor woman out of my mind. Let me know if you come up with something, Dolores Brunelli

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Jersey Shore

5:52 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

This tragedy haunts me. Many many prayers to all.

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Jersey Shore

5:52 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

A photo and professional profile of the father is on LinkedIn - what a successful, intelligent, very good looking - all-american man - so young - I feel for his wife (and her family) as they don't have any friends or family in the area that I have of - since they just moved here. Pls post if anyone knows of how we locals can help. In Holmdel-Middletown.

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Trisha

5:52 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Jackie, please let us know either way. Thank you.

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Peaches13

6:30 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

For all that were interested a support fund has been set up for Cara & Pearl

please donate to a support fund for Cara and Pearl DiCostanzo at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZSQGNX5JNMTAU

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Susan S

6:30 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

A local facebook group I belong to has set up a paypal account for donations. I believe a member of the family is in contact with the person who set this one up. The family also mentioned getting a PO Box for the family if people feel more comfortable writing a check. I'm so shaken up by this tragedy, but I'm so glad to live in a real community that cares about people.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZSQGNX5JNMTAU

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Noel

7:34 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012

Thank you for posting the link for the support fund. Please also post the PO Box address once it is available. I had worked with George back in 2006-2007 and I am very saddened to hear about this tragic news.

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lulu555

12:47 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012

jvalentino....
Wow, do you have super powers we don't know about?????? How do you know who hit who, at what speed?????? Stop speculating and wait for the facts........Did you take a good look at the pictures????? Who's in who's lane????? Sounds like you're already pointing fingers!!!!!!!!!

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Cara C.

10:11 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012

I went to highschool with George, and he was a nice and funny kid. When you comment, please remember that these are people, and that their friends and relatives are reading. Try this - only say something you would say if your own son/daughter/wife/sister/brother died.

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lulu555

8:27 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012

Yes, and all should remember that the people in the other car are a son and daughter to parents, or a brother or sister, or an aunt or uncle, or a friend of someones, so finger pointing comments, name calling, and unproven accusations are just as harmful, especially when no facts or details of the cause of the accident have been released at all. Respect to all should be given unless people have the details of the investigation. The others in the Jeep are PEOPLE too. Wait for the FACTS before making accusations and speculating.

KS

10:14 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

It's been several weeks since this accident. Has the investigation been completed, and are the conclusions regarding the cause of the accident going to be reported to the public? Thank you.

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