New Jersey woman charged after crashing into mother pushing stroller, killing 9-month-old

Published September 1, 2026 8:39 AM EDT
Livestream

A Trenton woman is facing manslaughter charges after investigators say she crashed into a mother pushing a stroller in an Ocean County grocery store parking lot, killing her 9-month-old boy and injuring a 5-year-old.

Unlicensed driver hits mother, 2 children

The backstory:

Prosecutors say 20-year-old Maria Cobon-Guzman was driving without a license when she struck a woman pushing a stroller carrying her two children, 9-months-old and 5-years-old, in the parking lot of NPGS grocery store on Friday morning.

The mother and her two children were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for emergency care. Officials say the 9-month-old boy died from his injuries, and the mother and 5-year-old daughter were placed in stable condition.

2 charged in deadly crash

What we know:

Cobon-Guzman, a Trenton resident, was charged with manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle without ever having possessed or been issued a valid driver's license while involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash, and two counts of assault by auto.

Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, was charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another. Investigators say Lazaro-Flores was aware Cobon-Guzman did not have a license and allowed her to drive.

Detention hearing pending

What's next:

Cobon-Guzman and Lazaro-Flores were taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where they are presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

The Source: Information provided by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

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