A teenage girl faces child neglect charges after she allegedly overdosed on drugs and caused a car accident in Gloucester City, NJ.
The DUI accident occurred on Interstate 76 in Gloucester City, New Jersey. According to law enforcement officials, the driver of the vehicle was a 17-year-old suspect. Additionally, there was a 19-year-old Delanco Township man riding in the car as a passenger. A five-year-old child was also riding in the backseat.
When NJ State troopers and emergency crew workers arrived at the scene of the car crash, they saw that the two adults inside the motor vehicle were unconscious and suffering from drug overdoses. Police administered Narcan, an anti-overdose drug, to the suspects and managed to revive them.
Paramedics then transported the motor vehicle occupants to Cooper University Hospital in Camden NJ, where doctors treated the driver, the adult passenger, and the child for minor injuries.
The teenage motorist is likely to be charged with multiple crimes, including endangering the welfare of a child. At this time, it is unclear if the 17-year-old suspect will be charged with juvenile offenses as well.
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old passenger in the car has been charged with illegal prescription drug possession because he reportedly did not have a valid prescription for opioids found on him after the crash.
The NJ State Police is actively investigating the car accident and attempting to gather as much evidence as possible.
The DCP&P, formerly known as DYFS, has also been notified of the situation, which is standard procedure anytime there is a possible child abuse or child neglect incident. Officials have not yet indicated whether the minor is related to the driver of the car or the passenger. Regardless, it is likely that DCP&P will open an investigation.
For more information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Driver Accused of ODing, Crashing Car with Kid Aboard Is 17-Year-Old Girl.”
