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Police Search Of The Area Discovered The Vehicle And Vehicular Homicide Charge Added To Case Against Driver
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP A 20-year-old resident of Jackson could face up to 20 years in prison for her role in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a Freehold Township resident.
On March 23, Freehold Township police charged Veronica A. Smith with one count of vehicular homicide and two counts of assault by auto while intoxicated in connection with a fatal motor vehicle collision which occurred on Jackson Mills Road on March 9. According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation was handled by the Freehold Township Police Department, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team.
The charges stem from a single-vehicle motor vehicle collision which occurred at about 1:04 a.m. March 9. An investigation revealed that Smith was driving a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer south on Jackson Mills Road when the vehicle left the road and collided with a traffic sign and then with a tree.
The front seat passenger in the vehicle, Michael Orr, 22, of Freehold Township, sustained massive injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:45 a.m. The two passengers who were in the rear seat sustained injuries as well, according to the press release. Authorities said Alyssa Davis, 21, of Freehold Township, sustained serious injuries to her right hand and right arm. Jonathan Lester, 21, of Howell, sustained serious head injuries as well as injuries to his clavicle area and rib area. The investigation revealed that Smith and Orr were wearing seat belts and that air bags had deployed and that Davis and Lester were unrestrained.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the investigation suggested that Smith was intoxicated at the time of the collision with a blood alcohol level of more than double the legal limit of .08 percent. The prosecutor said her intoxication was the primary cause of the collision. Weather was not a contributing factor to the collision although there had been snow on March 8, according to the press release.
Authorities said the investigation revealed that Smith had been drinking at an area business. The prosecutor’s office has referred the issue of underage drinking in a bar to the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission for further investigation.
Smith’s bail was set at $125,000 by state Superior Court Judge Paul F. Chaiet and she was released on her own recognizance. If convicted on all charges, Smith faces a maximum period of incarceration not to exceed 20 years, according to the press release. This matter is now pending grand jury action. Smith has also been charged with several motor vehicle violations including driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. The prosecution of the motor vehicle summonses will be placed on hold until the trial of the indictable charges, the prosecutor’s office said.
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