BREAKING: Eatontown, New Jersey Woman Sentenced To Prison

32-YEAR-OLD EATONTOWN WOMAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR CAUSING FATAL CRASH

     "Ashley Watkins Sentenced To Prison For Driving Under The Influence Of Narcotics That Caused The Death Of A 78-Year-Old Brick Township Woman."

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 7:00 A.M. ET. By George Petruska: Englebrook Independent News,

TOMS RIVER, NJ.- Yesterdy, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer reported, that Ashley Watkins, 32, of Eatontown, New Jersey was Sentenced by The Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C. to a Term of Five Years in New Jersey State Prison for Causing the Death of a 78-Year-Old Brick Township, New Jersey woman. The imposed Sentence will be subject to The No Early Release Act, which will require Ms. Watkins to Serve Eighty-Five Percent of her Custodial Term before becoming Eligible for Parole.

     The Sentence stems from an incident on May 9, 2023, at 9:45 a.m., Members of The Brick Township Police Department responded to the Intersection of Lanes Mill Road and Greenwood Loop on a report of a Serious Motor Vehicle Crash.

     After locating the Crash, the investigation determined that a 2011 Toyota Camry being Driven by Ms. Watkins was traveling Southwest on Lanes Mill Road when she Crossed the Center Line of The Roadway and Collided Head-On with a 2014 Dodge Caravan, being Driven by Terry Penrod, 78, of Brick, New Jersey. Mr. Penrod's Wife Nancy Penrod, 78, was a Passenger in the Caravan. Mr. Penrod sustained a Broken Leg and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey for treatment. Mrs. Penrod was transported to Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township, where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

     Ms. Watkins sustained Minor Injuries in the Crash and was taken to Ocean Medical Center for treatment. While at The Medical Center, Watkins consented to a Blood Test. The results of the Blood Test revealed that Fentanyl, Benadryl, and Marijuana were present in her Blood, which made Ms. Watkins incapable of Safely Operating a Motor Vehicle. Shortly after that, Ms. Watkins was Arrested by Authorities and Formally Charged with Vehicular Homicide.

     On October 5, 2023, Ms. Watkins Pleaded Guilty to The Charge, and on December 1, 2023, Pleaded Guilty to Driving While Intoxicated. 

FILED UNDER: DECEMBER 5, 2023: LAW, OCEAN: