Driver On Phone Caused Fatal Semi Crash In Monroe Township: Police

MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A woman faces a death by auto charge after officials say she was using a cell phone before a fatal semi truck crash in Monroe Township.

Officials charged Lashaya Goldsmith, 30, of Camden with death by auto and assault by auto in connection with the November crash that killed 62-year-old Richard Lupton.

A search warrant revealed Goldsmith was using a hand-held phone when she drifted into the path of a semi truck on Malaga Road, a news release from Monroe Township said. Original article — Truck Driver Dies After Hitting Tree In Monroe Township: Police

The crash happened Nov. 10 on C.R. 659 (Malaga Road) near Morgan Road at around 12:35 p.m., according to township police.

Police said Lupton, of Newport, was driving a 1995 Mack truck with a tractor-trailer eastbound on Malaga when Goldsmith's 2018 Hyundai Elantra drifted into the eastbound lane and hit the truck.

Lupton's truck continued east, going into the other lane and hitting the driver's side of a 2017 Nissan Rogue that was going west, according to township police.

Police said the semi went into the lawn of a home in the 900 block of East Malaga Road, and hit a tree with its front end. Lupton was pronounced dead at 1:50 p.m. because of injuries from the crash, police said.

First responders transported Goldsmith to Cooper University Health Care Trauma with a serious lower body injury, and the driver of the Nissan to Jefferson Hospital - Washington Township.