Toms River woman was high on Marijuana when she caused multi-car collision that killed two men – wobm.com
We now know that the domino affect multi-vehicle crash that killed two Toms River men back in March was the result of a Toms River woman driving while under the influence of Marijuana.
Danielle Bowker, 30, was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River following the March 29 crash and while there blood was drawn, permitted through a court authorized warrant and the results have come out and shown that she was in no condition to drive with the marijuana in her system.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said that the lab results received by the OCPO Vehicular Homicide Unit showed that Bowker had an Active THC (marijuana) level of 7 nanograms with a Metabolite THC level of 61ng at the time of the crash which means she smoked it not long before causing an accident.
Prosecutor Billhimer also said that the State’s psychopharmacologist believes Bowker’s faculties were impaired due to the effects of marijuana intoxication, and thus could not safely operate a motor vehicle.
With these lab results in hand, additional charges were added to the list.
Overall, Bowker has been charged with two counts of Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Assault by Auto, and Driving While Intoxicated for causing the crash that claimed the lives of Michael Sadis, 48, of Toms River, and Paul Lamberti, 58, of Toms River.
Manchester Police were first on scene around 7:15 am on March 29 between Whitesville Road and Route 571 involving four vehicles.
The OCPO-VHU, Manchester Police, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit investigation learned that Bowker was driving a 2018 Honda Civic west on Route 571 when she veered out of lane trying to go through a right-hand curve in the road and she then hit an NJ-DOT Ford F-550 pickup truck which was heading east and then lost control from being hit by Bowker and struck a 2012 Toyota Camry and then a 2015 Toyota Corolla.
Eduardo Rivera, 30, of Hamilton Township, who drove the Ford F-550 and his passenger, Daniel Septor, 26, of the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township, were brought to Community Medical Center in Toms River following the crash for minor injuries.
Michael Sadis, 48, of Toms River, who was driving the Camry and was forced off the road and into an embankment after being hit, ended up passing away at the scene.
Paul Lamberti, 58, of Toms River was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, and he later passed away from his injuries.
Bowker surrendered herself to Manchester Police in the presence of her attorney on Tuesday and was then brought to the Ocean County Jail, where she remains, pending a detention hearing.