2 women ordered detained in Jackson crash that killed 9-month-old boy
The women also face immigration detainers from ICE following the crash that killed an infant and injured his mother his 5-year-old sister.
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Two women charged in connection with a Jackson Township crash that killed a 9-month-old boy were ordered detained Tuesday while their cases proceed.
A judge granted prosecutors’ motions to detain 20-year-old Maria CobonGuzman, of Trenton, and 22-year-old Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, of Toms River. Both women have been held at the Ocean County Jail since their arrests following the crash.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said CobonGuzman was driving without a valid driver's license Friday morning in the parking lot of the Jackson NPGS grocery store on West County Line Road when she struck a mother and her two young children, who were in a baby carriage.
All three were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The mother and her 5-year-old daughter were in stable condition as of Saturday afternoon. Her 9-month-old son was pronounced dead at the hospital.
CobonGuzman faces charges, including reckless manslaughter, assault by auto and causing death while driving without a valid license.
Lazaro-Flores also faces charges in connection with the crash. Investigators said she knew CobonGuzman did not have a valid driver's license but allowed her to drive anyway. Lazaro-Flores faces charges related to endangering another person.
RELATED: Unlicensed driver charged in Jackson Township crash that killed 9-month-old
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it has lodged immigration detainers against both women at the Ocean County Jail.
An ICE spokesperson said CobonGuzman is a Guatemalan national who has a removal order issued by an immigration judge on July 31. ICE said that if she enters the agency's custody, she will be processed for removal under that order.
ICE said Lazaro-Flores is a Mexican national who was processed for voluntary return five times in October 2023. The agency said she would enter removal proceedings if transferred to ICE custody.
