Monmouth County Woman Charged With Death By Auto

A Monmouth County driver was intoxicated when she was involved in a crash that claimed the life of one of her passengers, authorities said.

Nakoma Jones, 38, of Neptune was charged with death by auto and assault by auto.

Her rear seat passenger, Gustavo Rodriguez, 30 of Neptune, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Old Bridge, according to a news release from Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Old Bridge Police Chief William Volkert.

At 3:38 a.m., Sunday, Jones was driving a 2009 Lincoln MKS east on Route 516 when the vehicle crossed into on-coming traffic near Mannino Park Drive and hit a 2011 Sonata, the news release said.

Jones, also sustained injuries in the crash. She was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Her bail was set at $160,000.

Her front-seat passenger, a 36-year-old Asbury Park woman, was treated at the hospital and was released.

The other driver, a 19-year-old Cedar Grove woman, was also taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Henry Penley of the Old Bridge Police Department at (732) 721-5600, or Detective Craig Marchak of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3254.