DUI Charges: West Caldwell Mom Crashed With Infant In Car

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A West Caldwell woman who displayed a show of motherly concern when she passed her infant from a serious car crash shortly before passing out may have been under the influence of a CDS at the time of the collision, police say.

On Tuesday, the Fairfield Police Department charged Mandee Brady, 38, of West Caldwell, with endangering the welfare of a child, assault by auto, being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and while in a school zone.

The crash reportedly took place around 1:12 p.m. on Nov. 10 in front of 47 Greenbrook Road when Brady’s 1997 Mazda struck a utility pole in front of the Sunrise Assisted Living facility.

Luckily, the 16-month-old infant was properly strapped into a child safety seat at the time of the collision, the Fairfield Police Department stated.

According to police – despite her severe injuries – Brady was able to exit the vehicle, remove the child from the crash wreckage and hand them off to a bystander before passing out.

Emergency responders performed CPR on Brady and transported her to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson with “serious, life-threatening injuries,” Fairfield police said.

The child appeared uninjured but was taken to the hospital for evaluation, authorities stated.

Authorities continued an investigation into the incident after the crash, eventually acquiring a search warrant for the vehicle, which was still in police custody.

When police searched the car they found “various prescription drug bottles containing tablets and other items that indicated the unlawful use of these drugs,” authorities stated.

After consulting with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Fairfield police issued a warrant for Brady’s arrest on Monday. Brady surrendered herself to Fairfield detectives at police headquarters on Tuesday and was held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Photo: Fairfield Police Department