Drunk Driver Who Hurt Lacey Pedestrian Had 3 Kids In Car: Police

LACEY, NJ — An intoxicated driver had three children in his vehicle when he struck and seriously injured a woman Dec. 15 in Lacey, police announced Friday. Authorities announced several charges against David Winkle, including assault by auto and child endangerment.

Winkle struck a woman who was crossing Lacey Road, police announced in December. Officials flew the pedestrian to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for "serious" injuries, authorities said.

The woman was alert but unable to supply identification at the time. Police identified her Friday as Mariam Manukyan, a 67-year-old Forked River resident.

Winkle, 40, of Forked River, was charged with the following, police said:

• assault by auto (third-degree)
• three counts of endangering the welfare of a child (second-degree)
• motor-vehicle summonses including driving while impaired, driving while impaired with a child passenger, reckless driving, unsafe tires and operating an uninsured vehicle

His blood-alcohol concentration was 0.17 percent, police said. New Jersey's legal limit is 0.08 percent.

Police said in December that motor vehicle and criminal charges were pending. The Friday announcement was the first time Lacey police revealed that Winkle had children with him in the car. Their relationship to Winkle wasn't publicly revealed.

Related article: Intoxicated Driver Seriously Injures Pedestrian: Lacey Police

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