Investigators: Insect contributed to fatal crash in Ocean County

Authorities say an insect contributed to a fatal car crash in Ocean County because the driver and his passenger became distracted while swatting at it.

A 1995 Chevy Camaro Z28, driven by Dylan Magee, 19, of Millstone, along with passenger, Alexander Pannizzo, 18, of Millstone, was traveling south on Rt. 539 when their vehicle crossed over the center line and into the northbound travel lane. A 2014 Peterbuilt tractor trailer, driven by Norman Bird Jr., 73, of Allentown, NJ was traveling north on Rt. 539 when the Chevy Camaro came into his lane and collided head on.

As a result of the crash, the Camaro passenger, Alexander Pannizzo, was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:53 am. The Camaro driver, Dylan Magee was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the tractor trailer, Norman Bird, Jr., was transported to Hamilton Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Associated Press contributed to this report