Hit-and-Run driver also charged with DWI in Manchester
An Ocean Township woman is in big trouble following a hit-and-run accident, then a low speed chase and being under the influence caused a flurry of police activity Thursday night around 8:00pm in Manchester Township.
A Manchester patrolman was flagged down by two drivers (a 2013 BMW and a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe) who were sitting at a red light on Route 37 near Colonial Drive when they were side-swiped by a red SUV who then kept driving.
The officer hopped back in his patrol car and followed the SUV, which was smoking and had serious front-end damage, that was still fleeing the scene and heading west on Route 37 toward Lakehurst.
The officer caught up to the vehicle but when he got out and started walking to the driver by the Lakehurst Circle, the SUV took off again, this time toward Route 70 after driving around the circle.
The Chevyv Blazer hit a couple sides of the sub while in the process of fleeing then a guardrail by the Lakehurst Diner on Route 70 before it finally stopped.
It then picked up again as the officer for a second time approached the Blazer which took off down Route 70 and drove over the center lane and into oncoming traffic.
Cars heading east had to get off the road to avoid a collision.
That's when the Blazer was boxed in by responding officers on the low speed chase near South Union Avenue in Lakehurst.
30-year-old, Stephanie Smith of Ocean, when approached, showed significant signs of impairment and was arrested without incident.
She was brought to police headquarters where she was processed and charged criminally with Eluding Police.
Smith was also issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report a motor vehicle accident.
After being processed, Smith was transported to Ocean County Jail.
The Lakehurst Police Department also assisted with this incident.
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