CHESTER TWP, NJ – A Brooklyn woman has been charged in connection with a fatal car crash that claimed one life in Chester Township over the summer.
Prosecutors say 26-year-old Ana-Maria Ciofu was driving at a high rate of speed when her vehicle collided with another car on Route 206 on August 31.
The driver of the other vehicle, identified only as C.K., died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Key Points
- Ana-Maria Ciofu, 26, of Brooklyn, has been charged with vehicular homicide.
- The August 31 crash on Route 206 left one person dead and another injured.
- Ciofu was released pretrial and will appear in court December 15.
Prosecutors allege excessive speed led to fatal collision
According to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Ciofu was behind the wheel of a 2025 Lexus IS300 traveling northbound on Route 206 when she struck a 2013 Toyota RAV4 near the intersection of Lamerson Road and Fox Chase Road. Investigators allege she was driving at an excessive rate of speed prior to impact.
The RAV4’s driver, C.K., was pronounced dead shortly after the collision. A passenger in Ciofu’s vehicle, identified as Lubov Sakovich, sustained injuries in the crash but survived.
Charges and next court appearance
On November 3, authorities charged Ciofu with second-degree vehicular homicide and disorderly persons assault by auto. She appeared before a judge for her first court appearance and was granted pretrial release pending further proceedings.
A pre-indictment conference is scheduled for December 15 before Superior Court Judge Robert M. Hanna.
Multi-agency investigation
The investigation involved the Chester Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit. Officials said the case remains active as they continue to review evidence and reconstruct the crash sequence.
