Hopewell Township patrolman allegedly found drugs near where a woman’s car crashed into a guard rail.
By John Tredrea
A 37-year-old Monmouth Junction woman and her three male passengers were charged with possession of heroin and crack cocaine after a Hopewell Township patrolman allegedly found the drugs near where the woman’s car crashed into a guard rail at the junction of Route 31 and I-95 Sunday evening.
Township police Capt. George Meyer said the accident occurred at 5:10 p.m., when Suesan Girard, who lives on U.S. 1 in Monmouth Junction, lost control of her car while driving onto the ramp to southbound I-95 from southbound Route 31.
Ms. Girard allegedly was talking on her cell phone when she lost control. "She went up a curb and hit a guard rail," Capt. Meyer said.
Responding to the accident along with the Pennington First Aid and Pennington Road First Aid squads was township Patrolman Michael Sherman, who allegedly found small amounts of crack cocaine and heroin wrapped up in paper and on the ground near the wrecked car.
"We have evidence linking the suspected drugs to the car," said Capt. Meyer, who would not say what that evidence was. "No one in the car would admit the suspected drugs were theirs, so all four of them were charged."
The three men in the car who were charged with possession of heroin and crack cocaine in addition to Ms. Girard were: Eugene Hollins, 28, of Arlington Avenue, Plainsboro; Edward Smith, 50, of Douglas Drive, Princeton; and Leslie Terrell, 45, of New Brunswick. All three men were taken to Capital Health System, Fuld Campus, in Trenton for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening. Ms. Girard was not hospitalized.
In addition to the drug charges, Ms. Girard also was charged with reckless driving and talking on a cell phone while driving.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The case has been forwarded to the county prosecutor’s office for possible grand jury action.