BRICK – A Monmouth County woman has been indicted for Vehicular Homicide and more after police discovered she was intoxicated while driving, which resulted in the death of a senior.
Ashley Watkins, 30, of Eatontown has been indicted on the charges of Vehicular Homicide as well as Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto.
After investigating the crash, police determined that Watkins was driving southwest on Lanes Mill Road when she crossed the center line of the roadway and collided head-on with a Caravan.
The driver of the van, Terry Penrod, 78, of Brick, sustained a broken leg and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment. The passenger in the car, Terry’s wife Nancy Penrod, was transported to Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Watkins had minor injuries from the crash and was taken to Ocean Medical Center for treatment. While at the hospital she consented to a draw of her blood. On June 2, 2021, the results revealed fentanyl, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and marijuana in her blood stream. These results determined that Watkins was unfit to safely operate a car at the time of the crash.
On June 4, 2021, detectives arrived at Watkins home and arrested her without incident. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Brick Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Watkin’s arrest and indictment.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
