Baby, Toddler Critical After Being Hit By Car In Keyport

KEYPORT, NJ — A baby and a toddler were "severely" injured and remain in critical condition Wednesday, said a spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor, after they were hit by a car that jumped a curb and drove along the sidewalk in Keyport Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 3:12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, Debbie Triano, 59, of Keyport, was walking with her two grandchildren on Main Street in Keyport. That's when they were all struck by a northbound 2008 black Acura TL driven by Kathy Ascolese, 22, also of Keyport, said the county prosecutor.

The youngest of the grandchildren, a baby, was being pushed by his grandmother in a convertible stroller/car seat.

As a result of the impact, the stroller’s seat became dislodged from the stroller’s frame and became airborne, landing a substantial distance away, said the prosecutor. An eyewitness to the horrific crash told the Asbury Park Press the baby carrier, with the baby inside, even hit a tree. The baby remained strapped inside the carrier the whole time.

The other child, who appeared to be about three or four years old, appeared to be unconscious and was more seriously injured, said eyewitness John Dubon, 51, who lives at the corner of Walling Terrance and Main Street. He also told the Asbury Park Press he heard the grandmother screaming: "Where's the baby? Where's the baby?"

Triano and her two young grandchildren remain hospitalized for their injuries. The young children are in critical condition with multiple injuries while Triano remains stable, said Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

Ascolese, the driver, also remains hospitalized for observation. She had a child with her in the Acura as well. The age of that child is unknown.

It has still not been revealed what caused Ascolese to drive onto the sidewalk.

The crash remains under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Keyport Police Department along with the Monmouth County Serious Crash Analysis Response Team (SCART), which is called in for the most serious of car crashes.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information to assist the investigative team is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Kristian DeVito or Agent Reginald Grant at 800-533-7443, or Keyport Police Department Detective Bureau at 732-264-0706.

Past Patch reporting: Grandmother, Children Hit By Car In Keyport Tuesday Afternoon

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