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The indictment of a Toms River woman accused of being under the influence of marijuana when her car was involved in a multi-vehicle crash that killed two was announced Thursday by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
An Ocean County grand jury indicted Danielle Bowker, 30, on two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of strict liability vehicular homicide, and two counts of assault by auto in connection with a motor vehicle crash in Manchester Township. According to Billhimer.
The announcement stated that on March 29, 2022, around 7:15 a.m., Manchester Township police were called to the area of Whitesville Road and Route 571 for a report of a fatal crash. Officers discovered four vehicles involved.
Bowker was driving a 2018 Honda Civic westbound on Route 571 when she failed to stay in her lane while making a right turn, according to Billhimer. Her vehicle collided with a New Jersey Department of Transportation Ford-550 pickup truck being driven eastbound on Route 571 by Eduardo Rivera, 30, of Hamilton Township, with passenger Daniel Septor, 26, of the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township.
As a result, the pickup truck lost control and struck a 2012 Toyota Camry operated by
Michael Sadis, 48, of Toms River, pushing the car off the road and into an embankment, according to the statement. The truck continued in the same direction and collided with Paul Lamberti, 58, of Toms River.
Sadis was pronounced dead at the scene, and Lamberti was airlifted to the hospital, where he died from his injuries, according to Billhimer. Rivera and Septor received minor injuries.
Bowker was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment after suffering minor injuries in the incident, according to Billhimer. A court-authorized warrant was used to draw blood from Bowker while he was being treated. Bowker had an active THC level of 7 nanograms (ng) and a metabolite THC level of 61 ng, indicating she was a recent, active marijuana user at the time of the crash.
After reviewing the lab results, the state's psychopharmacologist concluded that "Bowker's faculties were impaired due to the effects of marijuana intoxication at the time of the crash, and she could not safely operate a motor vehicle," according to Billhimer.
According to the announcement, Bowker has been scheduled to surrender to Manchester Township Police Headquarters in the presence of her attorney on June 21, 2022. She was arrested and taken to the Ocean County Jail before being released as a result of New Jersey Bail Reform.
