By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on May 17, Wendy Castillo-Torres, 30, of Lakehurst, was charged with Causing Death While Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Jackson Township on May 17, resulting in the death of her infant son.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that on May 17, at approximately 6:15 p.m., officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to an address on Grawtown Road for a report of a child having been struck by a motor vehicle.
Responding Officers found an unresponsive ten-month-old male with serious injuries, Ocean County officials said. The infant was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was pronounced deceased.
According to Ocean County officials, an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Castillo-Torres brought her ten-month-old son to the address on Grawtown Road, where she utilized a friend’s garage to clean motor vehicles.
The infant was positioned in a bouncer seat between two vehicles, OCPO authorities say.
Upon completion of the vehicle cleanings, Ocean County officials said, Castillo-Torres entered one of the vehicles to move it; instead of placing the vehicle in reverse, however, she put the vehicle in drive, trapping the infant between the two vehicles.
OCPO officials stated that Castillo-Torres immediately put the vehicle in reverse, and a companion called 911.
The investigation further revealed that Castillo-Torres did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash, Ocean County authorities said. 
Ocean County officials said that Castillo-Torres was served with the aforementioned charge via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
“Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.