Woman Charged With Murder After Hit-And-Run In South Jersey: Prosecutor

MILLVILLE, NJ — A woman was charged with murder after authorities say she ran over another woman and fled the scene last month in Millville.

Breanna Rowley's charges, filed Thursday, stem from the Oct. 22 death of Caroline Bump. Rowley accelerated her car and struck the victim as she stood in the roadway, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office (CCPO).

Rowley and Bump knew each other and were together before the incident, the CCPO said. Authorities haven't disclosed a motive or any details about the nature of their relationship.

A passerby found Bump's body two hours after she was struck. Bump, 21, of Millville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two days after Bump's death, authorities said Rowley was wanted for questioning. But they didn't say whether she was a suspect.

• From Oct. 24: Woman's Body Found In Road Hours After Hit-And-Run

Investigators found that Rowley took steps to conceal her vehicle's damage.

Rowley, 22, of Vineland, was initially charged Oct. 25 in Salem County with hindering apprehension (third-degree), obstruction of law (fourth-degree) and tampering with evidence (fourth-degree).

She was charged Thursday with murder (first-degree), vehicular homicide (second-degree), leaving the scene of a deadly accident (second-degree), endangering an injured victim (third-degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (third-degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth-degree) and an additional count of obstruction of law.

Rowley is incarcerated in the Salem County Jail, with a detention hearing pending.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact CCPO Det. Christopher Johnson at 856-453-0486, ext. 23607. Tips can also be submitted online or by calling 856-453-0486, ext. 11837.