By: Richard L. Smith
A nine-month-old boy was killed and his mother and five-year-old sister were injured after authorities said they were struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of a Jackson Township grocery store Friday.
According to information released by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Jackson Township Police were called to the NPGS grocery store on West County Line Road at approximately 11:55 a.m. on August 28 following reports of a vehicle striking pedestrians.
Officers arrived and found a mother and her two young children had been hit in the parking lot.
Authorities said the children were in a baby carriage when the collision occurred.
All three victims were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where the nine-month-old boy was pronounced dead.
His mother and five-year-old sister remained hospitalized in stable condition.
Investigators determined that 20-year-old Maria CobonGuzman of Trenton was allegedly driving a Ford Fusion through the parking lot when she struck the mother and the carriage carrying the children.
Authorities said their investigation further revealed that CobonGuzman had never possessed or been issued a valid driver’s license in New Jersey or any other state.
CobonGuzman was charged with manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle without ever having possessed a valid driver’s license while involved in a fatal crash, and two counts of assault by auto.
Police also arrested 22-year-old Ariadna Lazaro-Flores of Toms River. Prosecutors allege Lazaro-Flores knew CobonGuzman did not have a valid driver’s license but still permitted her to operate the vehicle.
She was charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another.
Both women were taken to the Ocean County Jail, where they remained pending detention hearings.
The investigation involved the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Jackson and Lakewood police departments and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.