Middletown Woman Charged With DWI In Rt. 35 Crash By Whole Foods

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A Middletown woman turned herself in to police headquarters Thursday after police say she caused a DWI crash last Friday, Sept. 15 on Rt. 35 north by the Middletown Whole Foods.

Jill Alenier, 47, of Middletown, is charged with two counts of assault by auto, a third-degree crime plus driving while intoxicated. Police say two people were injured in the crash, with "significant" bodily injuries.

At about 9:15 p.m. Sept. 15 Middletown police officers were conducting a motor vehicle stop on Rt. 35 north in the area of the Whole Foods. That was when Alenier's Acura SUV, headed north on 35, struck the two patrol cars as well as the Nissan Altima that had initially been pulled over by police.

Police say she continued forward and crashed into the rear of the Nissan Altima.

As a result of the crash, the two occupants of the Nissan sustained injuries and had to be taken to Riverview Medical Center. Middletown Police say their injuries were "significant." Neither of the officers, who were outside their patrol cars and were standing next to the Nissan, were injured during the crash.

Alenier was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while intoxicated by Middletown Ptl. Eric Van Schaack.

She also received numerous motor vehicle summonses related to the crash.

On Thursday, Alenier turned herself in to Middletown police headquarters where she was charged with more serious charges: Two counts of assault by auto, a third-degree crime. She was processed and released on a summons complaint.

“This motor vehicle crash illustrates the lethal danger posed to the public by those who drink and drive," said Middletown Police Chief Craig Weber. "It further emphasizes the importance of New Jersey’s 'Move Over Law,' which was adopted on March 25, 2009 and was the result of the tragic death of NJ State Trooper Marc Castellano."

"We strongly encourage and remind those who have been drinking or feel impaired, to please designate a sober driver for everyone’s safety," said the police chief.

DWI Checkpoint In Middletown This Friday (It will be Friday night, Sept. 22)