JACKSON TWP., N.J. — A 9-month-old baby is dead after an unlicensed driver struck a mother with two children in a grocery store parking lot.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, the incident occurred around 11:55 a.m. The mother, a 5-year-old girl, and the 9-month-old boy were hit by a vehicle while walking in the lot.
Both the mother and 5-year-old are in stable condition, but the infant was pronounced dead at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
Two women have been charged in connection to the incident. Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton, faces charges of manslaughter, operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and two counts of assault by auto. Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, is charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another.
The suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail. Authorities confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
No additional details about lane closures or tows have been reported at this time.