🚨9-MONTH-OLD BOY KILLED IN JACKSON PARKING LOT CRASH; UNLICENSED DRIVER CHARGED
A nine-month-old boy died after an unlicensed driver struck a mother and her two children in a Jackson Township parking lot on Friday. Police charged the driver with manslaughter and another woman for allowing her to operate the vehicle without a license.
📍 JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 9-month-old boy has died and his mother and 5-year-old sister remain hospitalized after authorities say they were struck by a vehicle in a grocery store parking lot Friday morning.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Jackson Township police responded shortly before noon to the Jackson NPGS grocery store parking lot on West County Line Road for a report of a vehicle crash involving pedestrians.
Investigators say a mother was pushing a baby carriage containing her two children through the parking lot when they were struck by a Ford Fusion.
The infant was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was pronounced dead. His mother and 5-year-old sister were also taken to the hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.
🚔 DRIVER ALLEGEDLY NEVER LICENSED
Authorities identified the driver as Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton. Prosecutors say investigators determined she did not have a valid driver’s license and had never been licensed to drive in any state.
CobonGuzman has been charged with: 🔴 Manslaughter 🔴 Operating a motor vehicle without ever having possessed or been issued a valid driver’s license while involved in a fatal crash 🔴 Two counts of assault by auto
A second woman, Ariadana Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, is also facing charges. Prosecutors allege she knew CobonGuzman was never licensed to drive but allowed her to operate the vehicle.
Lazaro-Flores was charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another.
Both women are being held at the Ocean County Jail pending detention hearings.
⚠️ INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The identities of the deceased infant, his mother and his sister have not been released by authorities.
The investigation remains active and involves the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and High Tech Crime Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
💔 Garden State News Network extends our condolences to the child’s family and loved ones during this devastating time.
This is a developing story. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
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