JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A 30-year-old Lakehurst woman has been charged in connection with the death of her 10-month-old son following a car accident on Saturday in Jackson Township, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Wendy Castillo-Torres was charged with Causing Death While Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License after investigators determined she fatally struck her son while attempting to move a vehicle outside a residence on Grawtown Road.
Jackson Township Police responded to the location at approximately 6:15 p.m. after receiving a report of a child being hit by a vehicle. Officers found the infant unresponsive with severe injuries. He was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was pronounced dead.
According to investigators, Castillo-Torres brought her son to the property where she was using a friend’s garage to clean vehicles. The child was placed in a bouncer seat positioned between two parked vehicles. After cleaning, Castillo-Torres entered one of the cars intending to reverse it but accidentally shifted into drive, pinning the child between the vehicles.
Authorities say Castillo-Torres immediately reversed the vehicle and a companion placed a 911 call. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office determined Castillo-Torres did not hold a valid driver’s license at the time.
Charges filed, court proceedings pending
She was served with a summons and is expected to appear in Ocean County Superior Court for future proceedings related to the charge.
“Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident, our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement.
Billhimer acknowledged the coordinated efforts of local law enforcement in the investigation, including the Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit.
Castillo-Torres is not currently in custody, and no additional charges were announced as of Thursday.
