NJ Infant Dies in Crash Involving Unlicensed Driver in Ocean County

JACKSON, NJ — A 9-month-old boy was killed, while his mother and 5-year-old sister remain hospitalized after an unlicensed driver struck them in a grocery store parking lot in Jackson on Friday, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said the driver, along with another woman, has been charged in connection with the crash.

Authorities had not released the identities of the infant, his mother or his sister as of Saturday morning.

Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton, faces charges of manslaughter, driving a motor vehicle without ever having obtained a valid driver’s license in connection with a fatal crash, and two counts of assault by auto, according to Billhimer.

Ariadana Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, was charged with knowingly engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of death to another person, Billhimer said.

Jackson police responded to the parking lot of the Jackson NPGS grocery store on West County Line Road shortly before noon Friday following reports of a crash involving pedestrians, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Authorities said a woman was pushing a baby carriage carrying her children through the parking lot when they were struck by a Ford Fusion driven by CobonGuzman.

Investigators determined that CobonGuzman did not have a valid driver’s license and had never been licensed to drive in any state. Prosecutors also said Lazaro-Flores knew CobonGuzman was unlicensed but nevertheless allowed him to operate the vehicle.

The mother and her children were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment. The woman and her daughter were reported to be in stable condition.

The couple’s 9-month-old son was pronounced dead at the hospital, authorities said.

CobonGuzman and Lazaro-Flores remain in custody at the Ocean County Jail while awaiting a detention hearing.

The investigation is being conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and High Tech Crime Squad, along with the Jackson Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.