Driver Trying To Flee Police Dies With Child In Car After South Jersey Crash: Prosecutor

MANTUA, NJ — The driver of a car is dead after they crashed a car with a child inside into a tree, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said.

At around 11:55 p.m. on Sunday, officers with the Mantua Police Department carried out a stop for a traffic violation along Route 55 south near mile marker 50.

As an officer was standing with the driver outside the car, Holly Hageman, 41, was in the backseat and was told to get out of the vehicle by another officer.

Hageman then got into the driver's seat and sped away with a 5-year-old child still in the car.

Officials were unable to find the vehicle during an initial search.

After officers and the original driver went back to the Mantua Police Department, they were notified by New Jersey State Police that Hageman crashed into a tree about three miles away from the traffic stop and was killed.

The child was left with what appeared to be non-critical injuries, authorities said.

Route 55 has been the subject of recent calls for a review of the roadway after a string of deadly collisions over the last four years.

On July 13, leaders called on state agencies to dive deeper into the design of the street and events leading up to the list of tragedies that continue to pile up. Read More: Deadly Road The Subject Of Calls For Change In South Jersey

HAVE A STORY IDEA OR NEWS TO SHARE? Contact Editor Eddie Callahan at edward.callahan@patch.com to connect with Patch in your area.