By: Richard L. Smith
A woman was killed after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop in Gloucester County and crashing a vehicle into a tree with a 5-year-old child inside, according to authorities.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and the Mantua Township Police Department are investigating the fatal crash, which occurred late Sunday night on Route 55 in Mantua Township.
Authorities said that at approximately 11:57 p.m. on July 19, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop for a traffic violation on southbound Route 55 near mile marker 50.
While one officer was speaking with the driver outside the vehicle, another officer ordered a backseat passenger, identified as Holly Hageman, 41, to exit.
Instead, investigators said Hageman climbed into the driver’s seat and sped away with a 5-year-old child still inside the vehicle.
Police were unable to locate the vehicle immediately, and the original driver was transported to the Mantua Township Police Department.
While officers were still at headquarters, the New Jersey State Police notified them that Hageman had crashed the vehicle into a tree approximately three miles from the location of the initial traffic stop.
Hageman sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased.
Authorities said the 5-year-old child suffered injuries that do not appear to be life-threatening.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.