FREEHOLD – A man and woman from Jackson have been criminally charged in connection with a single-vehicle crash in Freehold Township last month that claimed the life of a juvenile passenger, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said.
Brandon John Delgado-Ortega, 27, faces charges of third-degree driving with a suspended license, fourth-degree hindering and several related motor vehicle summonses. Lady Maite Cristobal Macuyama, 28, was charged with fourth-degree hindering.
Police were called at about 7:46 p.m. on November 10 to Jackson Mills Road near Tree Top Circle for a report of a crash. Officers arrived to find Delgado-Ortega and Macuyama at the scene, along with two juveniles seated in the back of the vehicle. One of the juveniles suffered critical injuries.
The injured child was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died on November 13, authorities said.
An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team and Freehold Township police determined that a 2004 Volvo S80 had left the roadway. Investigators initially were unable to determine who was driving at the time of the crash, but later identified Delgado-Ortega as the driver.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin J. Sidley of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau.
