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A Deal Police Department Captain died Saturday morning following a single car crash along Route 71, Ocean Township Police Department spokesman Det. Lt. Timothy Torchia said.

Ocean Township police responded near 12:33 a.m. to the motor vehicle crash along Route 71 southbound, just north of Perrine Avenue, Torchia said.

A preliminary investigation revealed Capt. Earl B. Alexander IV, 38, of Deal, lost control of his 2007 Acura TSX as he drove south along Route 71. The car left the road, flipped on its side and struck a utility pole, Torchia said.

The Deal Police Department’s organizational chart shows that he was second in command of the 22-member force. He headed Internal Affairs, was Patrol Commander, Acrreditation Manager, Motor Officer and a firefighter.

“It is with deep regret and sadness that the Deal Police Department announces the sudden death of our Captain Earl Alexander,” an official announcement issued by his department states. “Captain Alexander passed away last night after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Please keep his family, friends and members of this department in your thoughts and prayers. Funeral arraignments and services will be announced as soon as possible.”

Ocean Police Department Sergeants James Kelesidis and Todd Gregory, along with Officers Alisa Antunez, Nicholas Castellano, Greg Martone, Brendan Bernhard and Zach Rhein assisted at the scene.

The collision is being investigated by Officer Alisa Antunez of the Township of Ocean Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Response Team.

Anyone that may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Traffic Safety Bureau at 732-531-1800.

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