A Howell woman has been named in a three-count indictment handed up by a Monmouth County grand jury on Nov. 14 charging her with the 2015 death of a pedestrian, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
Kathleen Mackey, also known as Kathleen George, 38, of Howell, is charged with one count each of first degree aggravated manslaughter, second degree vehicular homicide and third degree causing death while driving unlicensed.
The fatal collision occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Oct. 21, 2015, along Friendship Road in Howell near the intersection of Teak Road, according to the prosecutor.
A joint investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team and the Howell Police Department revealed Mackey was the sole occupant and operator of a 2015 Ford Focus when she failed to maintain her lane of travel.
Upon entering the shoulder, the vehicle struck Leslie Stein, 65, of Howell, who was cleaning the shoulder area adjacent to his driveway and property. Stein sustained life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, where he died at 6:26 p.m.
Further investigation determined Mackey ingested prescription drugs prior to operating the vehicle. A blood sample taken from Mackey after the incident revealed she was operating the motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, according to the prosecutor.
If convicted of aggravated manslaughter, Mackey faces a minimum sentence of up to 30 years in state prison. If convicted of vehicular homicide, Mackey faces a sentence of five to 10 years in prison, and could face a sentence of three to five years in prison if convicted of causing death while driving unlicensed.