HOWELL – A resident of Freehold is facing criminal charges following her involvement in a police pursuit and a motor vehicle accident on Route 9 in Howell on the morning of Oct. 11.
Police said that at 11:30 a.m., the Howell Police Department Communications Division received a 911 call from a motorist reporting an aggressive driver harassing her family on Route 9. The caller, a 22-year-old female, was a passenger in a vehicle with her parents.
For no apparent reason, a white Ford Focus operated by a woman who was later identified as a 51-year-old Freehold resident, began driving aggressively by “brake-checking” the vehicle in which the caller was a passenger.
At some point, the driver of the Ford began waving an 8-inch folding tactical-style knife out of the window at the caller and her family. The vehicle in which the caller was a passenger attempted to pass the Ford several times, but the driver blocked the vehicle, according to police.
A short while later, Patrolman Omri Spiegel located the suspect vehicle and attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop in the area of Route 9 south and Georgia Tavern Road. Police said the driver of the Ford refused to stop.
The woman continued to drive in an erratic manner on Route 9 south. As the woman approached New Friendship Road, she made an illegal U-turn around the highway’s concrete barrier. At that point, she was confronted by Police Chief Andrew Kudrick.
Police said Kudrick observed the woman holding the knife. The woman refused to stop for Kudrick and continued driving north on Route 9, weaving in and out of traffic.
Upon approaching stopped traffic at the intersection of Route 9 and Georgia Tavern Road, the woman proceeded around the vehicles, allegedly disregarded a red traffic signal, entered the intersection and collided with a 2011 Toyota Rav 4 operated by a 66-year-old male resident of Howell.
Following the collision, the woman exited her vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but was taken into custody by Kudrick. The knife was located in her vehicle, according to police.
Police said the woman suffered minor injuries. She was transported to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. The male resident of Howell sustained what police described as moderate injuries and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, for treatment. They were the only occupants of their vehicles.
The woman was criminally charged with eluding police, making terroristic threats, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, unlawful possession of a weapon and assault by auto. She was also issued several motor vehicle citations. Additional charges may be issued after toxicology results are known, according to police.
The woman was transferred to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, following her release from the hospital.
Police said the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit was notified and responded to the scene. That office will review the event to ensure policy compliance. The Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team responded to conduct the crash investigation.
The Howell First Aid and Rescue Squad, Howell Police Emergency Medical Services and the Adelphia and Southard fire companies responded as well, according to police.
