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Family Asks for Witnesses of Aug. 10 Route 47 Fatal Accident
Accidents | 13 weeks 17 hours ago | Comments 14
Location of fatal Aug. 10 accident on Route 47, Dennisville. Photo by Harry B. Scheeler Jr.
DENNISVILLE — A 19-year-old Holmes, Pa., resident, David Paytas Jr., remains hospitalized at Cooper University Trauma Center in Camden almost three weeks after he was involved in a fatal accident on Route 47 at mile marker 18.5. The accident claimed the life of his girlfriend of five years, Katelyn Mariana, 18, of Ridley Park, Pa. on Aug.10.
According to N.J. State Police, Paytas was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Impala SS southbound on Route 47. For an unknown reason, he crossed over into the northbound lane of traffic.
A 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Randy Dougherty, 37, of Mullica Hill was traveling northbound, and struck the Impala on the passenger’s side. The Impala then struck a guardrail on the northbound shoulder.
Dougherty and his four passengers were transported to Cape Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Paytas suffered catastrophic injuries. His father, David Paytas Sr. told the Herald his son is in Cooper’s "step down intesive care unit." Paytas Jr. sustained a traumatic brain injury and a broken neck among multiple other fractures in the crash. "He's beginning to open his eyes and responds to commands on a fairly consistent basis but has not completely woken up." said Paytas Sr.
The father "desperately" wants to find the cause of his son’s accident, and is concerned it may have been preventable. Residents who live in the area told Paytas Sr. numerous accidents repeatedly occur around the curve and along other parts of Route 47.
Around the time of the accident, the region experienced a severe thunderstorm with torrential rain at times. The elder Paytas theorizes his son may have either lost control in the rain around the curve and hydroplaned into oncoming traffic or came around the curve and found traffic backed up from the traffic light at CR-610, and was unable to stop in time and swerved onto oncoming traffic to avoid rear-ending the last vehicle in the line.
The Paytas family asks anyone who may have witnessed this accident to contact them at (610) 532-9396
The accident is under investigation by Trooper Gallaudet of the Woodbine Station. He is also asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact him at (609 ) 861-5698.
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Comments (14)
We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article.
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 12:36pm
TO Mr Paytas,
Now that I am away from ridley for a brief moment I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU A FEW THINGS! your phony act that you showed towards us and you asking me what I WAS DOING AT THE HOSPITAL, your mean words to your sons about us just proves to me that katelyn mariana knew you really well! you should be ashamed of yourself , the disgusting things you have tried during the most tragic time of my life shows me that you need to find hope ,prayer, and help! now you want to help your son, thats what Kate was doing everyday, i wish you luck in finding peace for yourself ,
may GOD have enough in his busy day to help you get the real meaning of life, REMEMBER, HOPE FLOATS, UP the FOREVER broken hearted mom of KATELYN MARIANA
p.s. dont waste your time on these negative comments from people
who arent kates family, say a prayer instead!!!!!!!!
Mon, 09/08/2008 - 10:43pm
OK! This is a comment in reguards to the comment on: Mon 9/8/08 1:17pm.
I have read all of these comments. The comments made from Mr. Paytas family and friends, are sincere and supportive of the families of Dave and Katie.
Yes, it was an accident, could of been avoided I don't believe how.
The car came into on coming traffic, the van did what any other driver would of done, he did everything to avoid it. THE VAN DID NOT CAUSE THIS ACCIDENT! The van was in his lane doing the speed limit, and in his own lane going NORTH! There was no other way for that 37 year old man with 2 babies, and a 13 year old niece, and a wife in the car to go. The car was coming TOWARDS him, he was not going TOWARDS the car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This accident has changed the lives of this family and thier families and friends as well. They have alot of un-answered questions, as well as all of you in Ridley.
So please, all of the questions will be answered without all of the comments. We the family and friends of all families involved just need to be supportive of our loved ones. Lets just stay supportive because that is what these families need right now. Ridley my thoughts and prayers are with you, New Jersey, my love, and prayers and my total support are with you always.
Mon, 09/08/2008 - 1:17pm
I have no idea why anyone would stumble upon this site and leave rude and unnecessary comments regarding this accident. His father is obviously in an abundance of heartache and is just trying to search for answers! As a person who knew the young couple and have known his girlfriends family as if they were my own, the people who are leaving comments that are not any help to any of this and just want to put their two cents in, you all disgust me. Who's to say that these kids are catagorized into the stereo type that they were unexperienced teen drivers, are you going to say that the family who occupied the van that was involved was inexperienced because they didnt avoid the accident. There has been hearts broken all over Ridley regarding this awful accident and i hope and pray that Dave pulls through. I know Katie is looking down on the Paytas family!
Sun, 09/07/2008 - 9:08pm
Blah Blah Blah yourself ...u must have read it...to think that its a bunch of ****!!!!! atleast i have something to say that makes sense...and am not afraid of speaking real facts...i am not here to give ignorant people comments i wrote this to support the paytas family on their search for a witness and to let them know Dave and their family are in my prayers....and not to listen to people with degrating comments to keep faith...again god bless Dave...hope to hear he is making progress and pulling through...i truly hope that you's find the awnsers you are looking for.. As a parent i understand the questions you have...He is strong and will make it through..Kate is by his side every step of the way watching over him...God Bless!
Sun, 09/07/2008 - 8:04am
blah blah blah to 9-6-08 didn't even read it all bunch of ***! ... God bless this kid and the families involved. Thats why they'e called ACCIDENTS people!!!!
Sat, 09/06/2008 - 2:19pm
Of course everyone is going to have their own theory on this and opinion...but to the people who are being cold hearted and ruthless... stop for a minute and think.... this could have been your child...would you want awnsers? would you feel the need to know what happened that night?? no matter how much you may say no you would not!! if it was your child YOU WOULD!!! no one but dave and kate were in that car that night when this tragic ACCIDENT... happened yes people AN ACCIDENT!!! read it in the dictionary they do happen. So only he is left to live with this life sentence of loosing the one he loved most..he would have never EVER did this intentionally...and you know what Kate knows that...and for every one of you people who has ridiculous...ignorant...snarky...meaningless comment to make about Dave...i truly hope that Karma comes back around and shows you...Kate will watch over Dave and guide him through till the end i know that because she loved him... and would have never wanted to see or hear all of this CRAP!! being said...Things like this in life unfortunately happen...has anything ever happened to you that you didnt want to happen but you couldnt change it or take it back. Im Sure it Has!! because it happens to all of us. to the people who arent understanding that..I feel sorry for you and Pitty you...Someday something will come your way...a life lesson or possibly something that will make you realize that things like this happen to the best of us. Im sure that half of you making these uncalled for comments dont know much about dave..or possibly even kate.. and if you do im sorry but you must see dave as a different person than i do.. he would never EVER EVER harm anyone or anything purposely..he is a big teddy bear...and thats what Kate fell in love with..someone who she knew loved her and would have stuck by her through any trial or tribulation in life!! I hope that maybe you people who aren't unserstanding that dave will suffer with this for the rest of his life ..a life Sentence....due to loosing Kate As well as Fighting and trying to keep himself above water. God Bless Kate...God Bless Dave..as well as their families and Friends..God bless the other family in the ACCIDENT. Last but not least God bless these people on here that have no heart and no consideration..that are making these abserd and ruthless comments because maybe one day you will endure something like this and just not understand why people are making ignorant comments and not understanding both sides..and feel what both of these families are feeling. To the paytas family I will keep all of you in my prayers.. I Have prayed everyday that dave is pulling through and will come out of this okay..Dont let these people who have bad things to say about Dave discourage your hopes and faith. Keep hope alive..and just keep doing what you are doing because you's are both great parents with concerns and questions like any other parents would have. My Love is with you all And also with Dave. everything will be okay. Again God Bless you All.... Sincerely...Courtney
Sat, 09/06/2008 - 12:22pm
Hey it could have been even something as simple of a squirell or other small animal crossing in front of him for him to crossover. How many times have we all done that. Who knows !!!! Speedy recovery to this young man
Sat, 09/06/2008 - 12:00pm
Being a parent myself...I would most defiently want answers and find out if there were any witnesses. This family posted this article to be able to find those answers that left their son this way and Kate...( God Bless You). They did not post this to have ignorance and have people that have no idea about nothing of this situation. If you have no knowledge about this incident then please leave your remarks, opinions and assumptions to yourself. If the situation was reversed, trust me I am sure you would do the same in finding anything out. I pray for all of you that have no compassion. But, most of all I pray for all the families involved and Dave and Kate. With Kate being gone, I am sure she would not have wanted all of this going on....right now she is an angel watching over Dave and also her family
Fri, 09/05/2008 - 9:21am
I also hope all goes well for the young man and best hopes for the family of the young lady. With that said, I too believe the father is looking for someone to blame. I can understand to an extent his desire to know what happened but this sounds fishy to me. Good luck, and let the insurance agencies resolve it if there can be no exact answers. You seem to have more important issues to worry about at the moment.
Fri, 09/05/2008 - 8:14am
This poor father is just looking for some answers and all you can do is bash him. Get real people. There called accidents and unfortunatly they happen. doesnt always have to be one particular persons fault if any at all. I hope everything turns out for this man, his family and his son.
Thu, 09/04/2008 - 7:57pm
Exactly. I'm sure someone didn't like the opinion of the Trooper tat probably blamed the driver. Let's find some other fault.
Thu, 09/04/2008 - 7:32pm
How about your son was young and maybe inexperienced, cocky, or caused the accident. Didn't he cross into another lane? Sometimes there are no excuses! Just pray that he gets better and helps others.
Thu, 09/04/2008 - 7:02pm
Well you can see where this is going....lets find someone to blame so we can sue!!!!
Thu, 09/04/2008 - 6:52pm
Maybe slowing down in the bad weather would help. Be careful what you wish for finding a cause. You may find him in jail when he recovers if it was bad driving.