Press Update on Mullica Crash

The Press of Atlantic City has updated their site with what seems to be more accurate information regarding the tragic accident on Route 30.

By Steve Lemongello, April 1, 2010

Detectives were searching for one and possibly two people who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Mullica Township on Wednesday night, Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel said in a statement.

The two-car crash killed Christina Rivera, 29, and Belinda Dillihay, 61, both of Atlantic City, Housel said. Rivera was driving on Route 30 at about 10:20 p.m. when a Jeep Wrangler struck Rivera’s car head-on about one mile from Elwood Road.

Rivera and Dillihay were pronounced dead at the scene, Housel said, while Dillihay’s 13-year-old grandson, sitting in the backseat of Rivera’s car, was seriously injured and taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden for broken legs and a broken arm.

A person in the Wrangler, Ottoway Harrison, 29, of Mullica Township, was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

It remained unclear whether Harrison was the driver or a passenger in the Wrangler that struck Rivera’s car.

Housel said he wasn't prepared to comment on why authorities suspected others may have fled the accident scene.

Atlantic County Medical Examiner Dr. Hydow Park performed autopsies on Rivera and Dillihay on Thursday, determining that both women died of multiple internal injuries.

Mullica Township Detective Sgt. John Thompson called in Prosecutor’s Office detectives soon after the crash. Investigators were asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who had information about anyone who may have fled the scene, to contact the Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7666 or through its Web site.

Dillihay lived alone at the Atlantic City Townehouse apartments at 1330 Mediterranean Ave., while Rivera lived in the 1800 block of Ontario Avenue with her three children.

“She was a nice lady,” said Rivera's neighbor Darryl Brown. “She kept to herself, quiet.”

“The sad thing about it,” Brown said, “is that she just bought that car.”

Rivera worked at the Claridge Hotel section of Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, where fellow employees described her as a nice, talkative woman who doted on her children.

“Christina was a very dedicated team member working at the Bagel/Donut Connection at our Bally’s property since July ’06,” said Alyce Parker, spokeswoman for Bally’s owner Harrah’s entertainment. “We have been in contact and have offered any assistance to the family. Her fellow team members and our leadership team express their deepest sympathy to her family during this very tragic time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

No one was home Thursday afternoon at Harrison’s home on the White Horse Pike in Mullica Township, where several vehicles for sale were parked in the lot.