A Dover NJ woman has been indicted by a Morris County grand jury after allegedly causing a three-car crash on Route 46 in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey.
Police said that 38-year-old Kelly Morgan was under the influence of opiates when she lost control of her Toyota RAV4 and struck the median on Route 46 in Mountain Lakes NJ. According to police, Ms. Morgan’s vehicle left the roadway and hit a Nissan Rogue before continuing across the highway and striking a Jeep Liberty.
Both Ms. Morgan and one of the other drivers suffered injuries in the accident.
Police allege that Ms. Morgan had heroin and methadone in her vehicle. A search of Ms. Morgan’s vehicle allegedly uncovered seven (7) folds of heroin, liquid methadone, and a syringe.
Ms. Morgan was charged with assault by auto, possession of heroin, and driving with a suspended license.
In New Jersey, assault by auto (or “vehicular assault”) is governed under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(c). The statute stipulates that a person is guilty of assault by auto if she drives a vehicle recklessly and causes bodily injury to another person. If Ms. Morgan is convicted of third degree assault by auto, she could face a term of imprisonment of up to five (5) years in New Jersey State Prison.
