Stafford Cops: Manahawkin Woman Charged With Drunk Driving After Smashing Into 3 Cars

A Manahawkin woman is facing a myriad of charges after she plowed into three cars while driving drunk recently, Capt. Thomas J. Dellane said.

Police arrested Veronica Belluscio, 41, Willow Court, on Feb. 24 after receiving reports that a red Mustang was involved in a hit-and-run accident near Route 9 and Oxycocus Road at 4:50 p.m. on Feb. 24. They received additional reports that a red Mustang had been involved in two more accidents at Route 9 and Hilliard Boulevard, Dellane said

Police located Belluscio’s car shortly after, when they found it smoking heavily at her residence. The Mustang was heavily damaged and was missing a tire. Belluscio had driven on a tire rim after the accidents, he said.

The first accident occurred at Rute 9 and Oxycocus, when Belluscio struck a Lexus Rx3 driven by Wendy A. Tomasello, 49, Manahawkin. The impact pushed Tomasello’s vehicle into a Honda CRV driven by Diana M. Dabrowski, 62, West Creek, Dellane said.

The second accident involved three cars and happened at Route 9 and Hilliard Boulevard. Belluscio struck a Chevy Equinox driven by Lindsay Hoosak, 32, Barnegat. Hoosack suffered neck pain and two children - a three-year-old girl and a nine-month old baby - were all taken to Southern Ocean County Hospital, he said.

The impact pushed Hoosak’s vehicle into a Lincoln Mkz driven by Amy Fence, 43, Manahawkin.

The third accident also occurred at Route 9 and Hilliard Boulevard. Belluscio struck a GMC Savannah operated by Richard Coffman, 69, of Manahawkin.

Belluscio was charged with one count of resisting Arrest, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, three counts of leaving the scene of an accident, three counts of failure to report an accident and two counts of improper passing, Dellane said. She was processed and released pending a future court appearance, Dillane said.

Patrolman Erik Smithman was the arresting officer. Stafford EMS and Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company assisted.