Lakewood AlertsCHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER: Unlicensed Driver Who Never Had License Charged In Jackson Crash That Killed Baby Yitzchok Rosenberg Z”L
Criminal charges have been filed following the horrific Erev Shabbos crash outside NPGS in Jackson that claimed the life of nine-month-old Yitzchok Rosenberg z”l and left his mother and five-year-old sister hospitalized.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton, has been charged with manslaughter, two counts of assault by auto, and operating a motor vehicle without ever having possessed or been issued a valid driver’s license while involved in a fatal crash.
In a stunning detail revealed by investigators, authorities say CobonGuzman had never possessed a valid driver’s license — in New Jersey or any other state.
A second woman, Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, was also arrested and charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another. Prosecutors allege that Lazaro-Flores knew CobonGuzman had never been licensed to drive but nevertheless allowed her to operate the vehicle.
The tragedy unfolded at approximately 11:55 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of NPGS on West County Line Road.
According to investigators, CobonGuzman was behind the wheel of a Ford Fusion when she struck a Jewish mother and the baby carriage carrying her two children — her five-year-old daughter and nine-month-old son.
Central Jersey Hatzolah and numerous other emergency personnel rushed to the scene, and a Mass Casualty Incident was declared due to the severity of the incident. All three victims were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
Tragically, Yitzchok Rosenberg z”l could not be saved and was pronounced niftar at the hospital.
His mother and five-year-old sister remain hospitalized in stable condition, according to prosecutors. The public is asked to continue davening for Golda Chana bas Leah Shaindel and Rochel bas Golda Chana for a complete refuah sheleimah.
CobonGuzman and Lazaro-Flores were both taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where they are being held pending detention hearings.
The investigation is being conducted jointly by 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 the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.