Woman Indicted On Vehicular Homicide In Crash That Killed Brick Woman

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Monmouth County woman who authorities say was high on fentanyl in a Mother's Day head-on crash that killed a Brick Township woman last year has been indicted on vehicular homicide charges, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

Ashley A. Watkins, 30, of Eatontown, was indicted on vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide and assault by auto in the May 9 crash that killed Nancy Penrod, 78, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Penrod died at Ocean Medical Center of injuries she suffered in the crash, which happened about 9:45 a.m. at Lanes Mill Road and Greenwood Loop. Investigators determined Watkins, who was driving a 2011 Toyota Camry, crossed the centerline of the road as she was driving southwest and hit a 2014 Dodge Caravan head-on.

Terry Penrod, 78, Nancy's husband, was driving the Dodge; he suffered a broken leg and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, authorities said.

Watkins sustained minor injuries in the crash and was taken to Ocean Medical Center for treatment, and consented to a draw of her blood at the hospital.

Toxicology results showed Watkins had fentanyl, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and marijuana in her bloodstream, which rendered her unfit to safely operate a motor vehicle at the time of the crash, Billhimer said.

Watkins was arrested June 4 at her home and taken to the Ocean County Jail, but later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

Billhimer said Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr presented the case to the grand jury. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide and Victim Witness Advocacy units, the Brick Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit investigated.

Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters here, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook