An Egg Harbor Township woman has been indicted and arrested in connection with a crash that resulted in the deaths of three local teenagers.

According to Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McCain, Melissa Rodriguez, 20, or Egg Harbor Township was indicted "on three counts of Vehicular Homicide—crimes of the 2nd degree, and two counts of Assault by Auto—4th degree crimes, in connection with the motor vehicle crash that killed three of her passengers and injured the other two. "

On Monday, May 26, 2014 at 1:49 p.m., police, fire, and emergency medical services from Pleasantville and surrounding municipalities responded to a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a New Jersey Transit bus on Franklin Boulevard, near the intersection of Old Turnpike Road.
A red 1993 Toyota Camry driven by Melissa Rodriguez, then 18 years-old and residing in Pleasantville, was moving northbound on Franklin Boulevard with five (5) passengers when it crossed the center line and struck the bus moving in the opposite direction in the southbound lane. The bus was transporting eight (8) passengers at the time of the accident.
Two passengers of Rodriguez’s vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene: an 18 year-old male from Absecon, and a 14 year-old female from Pleasantville.
The driver and three surviving passengers of the car, the bus driver, and several bus passengers were transported for treatment to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—City Campus.

A third passenger of Rodriguez’ vehicle, a 16 year-old female, from Pleasantville, was pronounced dead at the ACRMC-Intensive Care Unit at 12:08 a.m. the next morning.

Rodriquez is currently free on bail, with a first court appearance yet to be scheduled.

 

 

 

SOURCE: News Release from Atlantic County Prosecutor

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