JACKSON, N.J. – Federal immigration authorities have lodged detainers against both women charged in Friday’s fatal Jackson Township parking lot crash that killed a 9-month-old boy, according to an update in the case.
Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton, and Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, are being held in the Ocean County Jail following the crash outside the NPGS grocery store on West County Line Road. CobonGuzman faces a manslaughter charge, while Lazaro-Flores is accused of knowingly allowing her to drive despite knowing she had never held a valid driver’s license.
The immigration detainers are a significant development from the initial jail information available after the arrests. CobonGuzman’s booking record initially identified her as a citizen of Guatemala but showed no detainer information; the subsequent update states that immigration detainers have now been lodged against both women.
- Immigration detainers have now been lodged against both women charged in connection with the fatal crash.
- CobonGuzman is accused of striking a mother and two children while driving despite never having held a valid driver’s license.
- A 9-month-old boy died, while his mother and 5-year-old sister were hospitalized in stable condition.
Immigration Detainers Added After Jackson Arrests
The immigration development came after the two women were taken into custody on state criminal charges.
CobonGuzman’s initial Ocean County Jail booking information listed her citizenship and country of birth as Guatemala. At the time that record was reviewed, it contained no ICE number or detainer information.
The updated information now indicates federal immigration detainers have been lodged against both CobonGuzman and Lazaro-Flores.
An immigration detainer is separate from the criminal charges filed by state authorities. The women remain in local custody as the criminal cases stemming from the death of the child move through court.
The existence of an immigration detainer does not, by itself, establish every detail of a person’s immigration history or how that person entered the United States.
Baby Killed After Family Struck Outside Grocery Store
The crash happened at approximately 11:55 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of NPGS on West County Line Road.
Jackson Township Police officers responding to the scene found that a mother and her two young children — a 5-year-old girl and a 9-month-old boy — had been struck.
All three were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. The baby was pronounced dead at the hospital, while his mother and sister were reported in stable condition.
Investigators determined that CobonGuzman was operating a Ford Fusion when she struck the mother and a baby carriage carrying both children.
“Further investigation revealed that CobonGuzman did not possess, nor had she ever possessed, a valid driver’s license in this or any other state,” the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said.
CobonGuzman was charged with manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle without ever having possessed or been issued a valid driver’s license while involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash, and two counts of assault by auto.
Authorities have not disclosed what investigators believe caused the Ford Fusion to strike the family.
Second Woman Accused of Letting Unlicensed Driver Operate Car
Prosecutors allege Lazaro-Flores knew CobonGuzman did not have — and had never possessed — a valid driver’s license.
Despite that knowledge, investigators allege Lazaro-Flores allowed CobonGuzman to operate the Ford Fusion.
She was charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another.
Both defendants were transported to the Ocean County Jail pending detention hearings.
The investigation involves the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and High Tech Crime Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
The criminal charges remain accusations. CobonGuzman and Lazaro-Flores are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Did immigration authorities lodge detainers against both women?
Yes. Updated information in the case states that immigration detainers have been lodged against Maria CobonGuzman and Ariadna Lazaro-Flores.
Did Maria CobonGuzman have a driver’s license?
No, according to prosecutors. Investigators said CobonGuzman had never possessed or been issued a valid driver’s license in New Jersey or any other state.
What happened to the mother and her two children?
All three were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The 9-month-old boy died, while his mother and 5-year-old sister were reported in stable condition.
Sources: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office; Ocean County Jail booking records; updated immigration detainer information.
