Camden, NJ (July 29, 2025) – Early on Sunday morning, July 27, a woman from Gloucester Township drove while drunk and hit a man riding a bicycle on Interstate 676 South in Camden County. The driver ran away from the scene—but later she turned herself in to the police, authorities say.
The driver is Charlene Wingate, 60, from Blackwood. She was also reportedly driving without a valid license because it was suspended at the time.
At 1:37 a.m. on Sunday, state police received a call about the crash on Interstate 676 South. Victor Owens, 39, from Bridgeton, was riding his bike in the left lane when Wingate’s car struck the back of his bicycle. Sadly, he did not survive the crash.
Wingate did not stay at the scene. She left without reporting what happened. Later, she called the police to say she believed she had hit someone. Officers have not confirmed exactly how much time passed between the crash and when she contacted them
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim at this time.
DUI Accidents in New Jersey
In 2021, New Jersey recorded 667 fatal collisions resulting in 697 deaths, marking a 21% rise over 2020. Driving while intoxicated—due to alcohol or drugs—was cited in about 17.9 % of these fatalities, while overall impaired driving (alcohol and/or drugs) was involved in 27.2 % of fatal crash cases.
Between July 2023 and June 2024, law enforcement made approximately 26,447 DUI arrests statewide, reflecting a slight year‑over‑year increase. At the same time, impaired driving has become the leading cause of fatal crashes in New Jersey—surpassing distracted driving—highlighting the growing role of alcohol and cannabis in deadly collisions.
Preliminary data from early 2025 indicate fatalities declined to 617 across 585 crashes, down from 697 in 2021—a drop of about 11.5%. Nonetheless, pedestrian deaths soared in 2024 to 221, a 29% jump compared to 2023, with a notable rise in drivers testing positive for alcohol and drugs.
If you have recently suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in a car or bicycle accident, you shouldn’t wait to resort to a skilled and empathetic wrongful death lawyer to fight for justice and honor your loved one’s memory. At Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq, we are ready to do this and more for you while you focus on your emotional recovery.
A deadly collision can be devastating and hard to manage on your own. Moreover, losing a loved one in a deadly collision is a devastating and difficult event to process. For this and more, it is important that you are able to pursue a strong claim for compensation after a loved one has been killed in a crash.
Contact our legal team at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq today at (800) 923-3456 to begin your quest for justice. We will be here at every stage of your claim to make sure your legal rights are protected and that you get the full and fair compensation you are owed.
Notes: Our accident news pieces utilize secondary sources like police and fire accident reports, news articles, and eyewitness testimonies. We have not independently verified this information at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq. If you find inaccuracies, please contact us for correction. To request post-removal, please inform us, and we will promptly comply.
Disclaimer: This content is not a business solicitation, and none of the information provided should be construed as legal or medical advice. Additionally, the featured image in this post is not from the actual accident scene.