Woman Admits To Drunk, High Fatal Woodbridge Crash

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — A 20-year-old woman from Middletown, NJ pleaded guilty Thursday to a fatal crash that occurred on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge last November. According to the Middlesex County prosecutor, the young woman was speeding down the Garden State Parkway south, driving drunk and high at the time, when her car flipped.

The crash caused the death of her 18-year old friend. A third young woman in the car was also seriously injured.

Kimberly Franklin, 20, of Middletown, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, assault by auto and driving while intoxicated, said county prosecutor Andrew Carey.

The tragic crash occurred in the early morning hours of November 26, 2018: At approximately 1:30 a.m., police say Franklin was traveling at a high rate of speed on the Parkway southbound, driving a 2018 Dodge Charger. She was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana at the time, and rear-ended a 2009 Nissan Rogue in the area of Woodbridge Township, the prosecutor said.

The impact of hitting the Nissan caused Franklin's car to strike a guard rail and tree, and then overturn. Her two passengers were ejected from the vehicle.

Nicole Smith, 18, of Middletown, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Isabella Rosales, 20, also of Middletown, was ejected as well, and she was seriously injured.

Franklin was not ejected, but she was seriously injured in the crash as well. Both she and Rosales were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick.

The driver of the Nissan was not injured.

Franklin will be sentenced to a prison term of 10 years, and must serve 85 percent of her term before becoming eligible for parole. Franklin will lose her license for five years upon her release from prison.

Past Patch reporting of this crash:

Middletown Mourns Teen Killed In Alleged DUI
Middletown Woman Charged With DUI In Death Of Her Friend
Fatal Accident On Garden State Parkway In Woodbridge: Police