NJ Teen Dies From Injuries Sustained Trying To Save Twin Brother

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — A West Caldwell teen died last Tuesday, four months after receiving what prosecutors called "life altering injuries" when he jumped on top of his twin brother's car, ostensibly to stop him from drunk driving.

Joseph Dattoli, 18, was "Our hero," according to an obituary published last week.

"Joseph N. Dattoli, a dedicated son, brother, cousin, grandson, nephew, and friend has passed away on Oct 19, 2021 after a long courageous fight," says the obit. "His acts of selflessness will never be forgotten by all the lives he has touched."

Services will be held in Caldwell this Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dattoli had just graduated from high school when the accident happened, said a GoFundMe launched by his family in the summer, which raised $129,000. Dattoli's leg had to be amputated due to the accident, the fundraiser page said, and he faced 10 surgeries.

Just before the crash, he had been preparing to move out and attend Kean University, his sister noted on the GoFundMe page.

"Kind, supportive, helpful & friendly, Joseph was a protector by nature," says the obit. "Anyone that was lucky enough to know him knows what a loss we are all suffering."

In August, Dattoli's brother was charged with aggravated assault, vehicular aggravated assault while intoxicated in a school zone, leaving the scene of an accident, and endangering an injured victim, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the West Caldwell Police Department.

Prosecutors said in a statement in August, "It is alleged that on June 27, [Anthony] Dattoli was intoxicated and drove with his twin brother on the hood of his vehicle, ultimately crashing into a tree and leaving his brother with life-altering injuries."

A spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said Monday that the investigation is ongoing and Anthony Dattoli is not in custody. "He was charged and released a short time afterwards," she said. The charges have not been upgraded as of Monday.