Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the arrest of Sandra Denise Brown, 46, of Jackson in the hit & run and subsequent death of a Lakewood man. Brown is charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death.
On 12/25/2017 at approximately 7:42 pm, the Lakewood Police Department was dispatched to Cedar Bridge Road just west of Martin Luther King Drive for a pedestrian struck in the roadway. The pedestrian later identified as Roger Conover, 45, of Lakewood was treated on scene for severe head injuries and transported to Monmouth Medical Southern Campus where he was subsequently pronounced deceased. It was reported that the vehicle striking Conover had fled the scene.
OCPO Major Crimes Fatal Accident Investigations and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI immediately responded to the scene to assist. While the scene was being processed it was reported that Ptl Alexander Guzman of Lakewood PD Traffic Safety had located the suspected vehicle on John Street, just off Martin Luther King Drive. The vehicle a 1997 Nissan Maxima had damage to the front driver side windshield area and physical evidence indicating the recent pedestrian strike. The subsequent investigation found Brown to be the driver at the time of the accident.
At the conclusion of the investigation OCPO Det. Brant Uricks contacted and requested Sandra Brown surrender herself to answer the charge, however she failed to comply. On 06/11/2018 at 6:30 am, members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department’s Warrants Unit and the United States Marshal Service located and arrested Brown in Seaside Heights. She is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail.
We feel bad for the tragedy. May he R.I.P.
My goodness, how could you go on with your life, knowing what you did, even if it was an “accident”, you made it a crime by leaving and then how do you continue on knowing you are running from the law and one day they are going to catch up with you. What a horrible thing. So happy they caught her and may he Rest In Peace.
Need to make that street safer….
Been saying this for a while now..
Fail to see the severity of the crime. Assuming it was truly an unavoidable accident with a pedestrian illegally crossing, she should have remained on scene. If she panicked and left there ought to be consequences, but why in the world is this more than a minor misdemeanor, again assuming it’s clear that it was an unavoidable accident. Perhaps someone who doesn’t stick around has a presumption of guilt, or not having proper license, insurance, or registration?
Based on the damage to the vehicle, a reasonable person would assume the person struck was seriously injured. Failing to report an accident and leaving the scene of said accident knowing that someone is seriously injured arises to a criminal status in NJ. On a side note…this isnt NY, no misdemeanors or felonies…it’s indictable or non indictable crimes.
**sorry I shouldve said Offenses. Non indictable is your disorderly persons offenses and indictable are crimes of 4th degree or higher.