Daniel ‘D.J.’ Ortiz dies in fatal Morris County car crash
Fatal Morris County car crash death of Daniel ‘D.J.’ Ortiz
A large group of tow-truck operators gathered their vehicles outside a funeral home on Tuesday to create a procession for one of their own. Over two hundred service vehicles, including various sizes and types, lined up to pay tribute to Daniel “D.J.” Ortiz, a 24-year-old employee who was killed by a passing car on July 2.
The incident occurred on Route 287 in Harding, where Ortiz was helping another motorist with a disabled vehicle. This workplace fatality has deeply affected many, particularly those in the towing and roadside assistance industries, who feel it highlights the dangers they face daily. The emotional response was amplified by a Facebook post from his employer, Ron & Sons Towing of Kenvil, which sparked outrage.
Tow trucks from distant states like Maine, Ohio, and South Carolina traveled to Ortiz’s July 8 funeral in Parsippany, New Jersey, to join the 23-mile drive to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.
One attendee, Amy Breault from Budd Lake, expressed her support for her son, who also works for the family-owned towing company. She described her feelings of loss and concern for his safety.
According to the New Jersey State Police, Ortiz was assisting on the shoulder of Route 287 around 11:42 a.m. on July 2 when he was hit by a passing Jeep SUV. He was transported to a hospital but did not survive. The Jeep driver received only minor injuries.
Both the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police confirmed they are investigating the incident but have not issued any citations.
