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Marijuana use and possession of up to 6 ounces of weed are legal in New Jersey if you are at least 21 years of age.Driving while high isnt.

Pot can be found in your system by a blood test. So if you get into an accident, a court could order you to be tested, especially when that accident causes injuries or fatalities. Thats something Danielle Bowker, 30, of Toms River found out on June 21 when Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced she had been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of strict liability vehicular homicide and two counts of assault by auto as well as driving while intoxicated.

All of the charges were in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Manchester Township on March 29. At approximately 7:15 that morning, Manchester Township police were summoned to the area of Whitesville Road and Route 571 for a report of a motor vehicle crash with a fatality. It was a four-vehicle crash.

An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Manchester Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that a 2018 Honda Civic operated by Bowker was traveling westbound on Route 571 when she failed to maintain her lane of travel while negotiating a right-hand curve. The Honda Civic then struck a state Department of Transportation Ford F-550 pickup truck operated by Eduardo Rivera, 30, of Hamilton Township, which was traveling eastbound on Route 571; Daniel Septor, 26, of the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township was a passenger in the Ford-550.

As a consequence, the Ford-550 lost directional control and struck a 2012 Toyota Camry operated by Michael Sadis, 48, of Toms River, pushing the Camry off the roadway into an embankment.

The Ford-550 continued in the same direction of travel and struck a 2015 Toyota Corolla operated by Paul Lamberti, 58, also of Toms River.

As a result of the crash, Sadis was pronounced deceased at the scene. Lamberti was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Rivera and Septor were transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of minor injuries.

Bowker also sustained minor injuries from the crash and was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment. While at Community Medical Center, a blood draw was taken from Bowker pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. Laboratory results of Bowkers blood draw, received by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, revealed Bowker had an active THC (marijuana) level of 7 nanograms (ng) with a metabolite THC level of 61ng indicating Bowker was a recent, active user of marijuana at the time of the crash.

Upon reviewing the laboratory results of Bowkers blood draw, the states psychopharmacologist rendered an opinion that at the time of the crash, Bowkers faculties were impaired due to the effects of marijuana intoxication, and she could not safely operate a motor vehicle.

In light of the foregoing, arrangements were made for Bowker to surrender to Manchester Township Police Headquarters in the presence of her attorney on June 21. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Medical Examiners Office for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.

As is usual, the prosecutors office press release ended with this statement:The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven beyond guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

That statement could prove valuable in this case. Bowker and her attorney could mount a vigorous defense if the results of the blood draw are the only evidence the prosecution team has to offer. Marijuana can stay in ones system for a month. The law is still murky when it comes to what level of high constitutes driving under the influence of pot.

All 50 states have established a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or higher as triggering a DUI charge, but there is no single standard when it comes to marijuana DUI charges.

There are at least six states that have legal THC limits, expressed in terms of nanograms per milliliter. Colorado, Montana and Washington have limits of 5ng/ml while Nevada and Ohios limits are 2ng/ml. Pennsylvanias limit is 1ng/ml. New Jersey apparently doesnt have a THC limit on its books.

If Bowker can afford to hire expert witnesses to contest the finding of the prosecutions expert witnesses, such as the states psychopharmacologist, a jury trial could prove very confusing and interesting.

The Ocean County Prosecutors Office didnt respond by press time to an inquiry about the Bowker press release. That inquiry didnt ask if there had been other evidence, such as an admission to using marijuana before driving, the presence of marijuana or drug paraphernalia in Bowkers vehicle, or the testimony of a drug recognition expert a law enforcement officer trained to administer tests to suspected impaired drivers to see in an individual is indeed impaired and if so, to categorize the type of impairment substance following a 12-step protocol. Law enforcement typically doesnt release such information before a trial.

The inquiry simply asked if the there had been a conviction for vehicular homicide in New Jersey based on the results of a blood test alone and attempted to confirm the state doesnt have a THC limit. A long internet search couldnt find either.

One thing is certain: Driving in New Jersey with marijuana in your bloodstream can get you in hot water even if you avoid conviction. An arrest, time in jail, attorney costs they all add up.

And you yourself could be killed.

Rick Mellerup

rickmellerup@thesandpaper.net

See more here:
Woman Charged With Vehicular Homicide Because of Marijuana in Her System - The SandPaper

HANCEVILLE, Ala. Wallace State Community College had 13 students earn a medal, including three teams to win a gold, at the 2022 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference competition recently held in Atlanta.

Gold medal-winning teams for Wallace State were:

Wallace State students have won 12 national gold medals in the past three national SkillsUSA events combined.

JaQuane Brown and Nolan West earned a silver medal in Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue for Wallace State.

Winning a bronze medal were Robert Combs, Oliver Edge and Grant Wiley in Automated Manufacturing Technology and Ayla Dewald in Criminal Justice.

Im very proud of the students who competed at the SkillsUSA Nationals event this year. To win gold in three events, one in silver and two in bronze speaks to the quality of students and instruction we have at Wallace State, said Wes Rakestraw, Wallace States dean of Applied Technologies. SkillsUSA provides a great opportunity for our students to compete and showcase their talent and skill. We made the most of that opportunity this year.

Each Wallace State winner at the national level was a gold winner at the state SkillsUSA competition, which was held last month in Birmingham. The college set a record with 33 gold medals, among the 50 won at state.

Wallace States Criminal Justice Department was on the cusp of winning a national gold medal last year and in 2019. Aguliar, Fletcher and Maddox helped the Crime Scene Investigation team break through.Aguilar is from Boaz, Fletcher from Cullman and Maddox from Hartselle.

While the individuals change, our students have worked hard for seven years to earn a national gold medal. This group pulled it off, and Im so thrilled for them. Theyre awesome people to be around. They respect each other and pull for each other, and that makes it even more gratifying, said Dr. Thea Hall, Criminal Justice department chair. Theres no way to describe the joy on their faces when the names were announced.

Among the tasks to complete at nationals, the Crime Scene Investigation team had to observe a crime scene lab, presenting three interpretations, matching and dusting fingerprints, analyzing a skull entry and exit wound, conducting a DNA blood swab and more.

Daniel and Hollis gold-winning performance in Mobile Robotics Technology marked the third straight national competition that Wallace States Computer Science students walked away with a gold (Sara Eskew and Zach Hudson in 2021; Chase Blakey and Benjamin Brownlee in 2019). Daniel is from Holly Pond and Hollis from Cullman.

Mobile Robotics Technology teams had to put together an engineering notebook and explain the design, programming and functionality of a robot in addition to earning points for programming and driving skills.

It speaks volumes that our students have the desire to excel. The entire process is hard work. It takes months of practice and dedication to be successful at the state and national levels, and our students embrace it, said Terry Ayers, Wallace States Computer Science chairperson.

In Robotics and Automation Technology, Davis and Raia are recent graduates of Wallace States Mechantronics program. Both participated in the Alabama Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program at Wallace State, allowing them work at Kamtek in Birmingham, while also completing their degrees. They both maintained employment at Kamtek. Davis is from Shelby and Raia from Columbiana.

It was a great day for all the gold medal winners across campus. I believe the on-the-job experience that Camden and Juddson have received benefited them through the SkillsUSA process.

Their work as industry apprentices enhanced their experience and knowledge, said Jerry Murcks, Wallace States Mechatronics instructor and chair.

For the silver-winning team in Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue, Brown is from Birmingham and West from Eva.

For the bronze-winning team in Automated Manufacturing Technology, Combs and Edge are both from Cullman and Wiley is from Warrior.

Dewald is from Arab.

See the entire list of winners | https://www.skillsusa-register.org/rpts/EventMedalists.aspx.

Read more:
Wallace State Community College has 13 students win National SkillsUSA medals, including three teams earning gold - The Cullman Tribune

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Local advocates are demanding justice for Anthony Hall Friday a well-known community leader who was arrested by Rochester police officers during a crime scene investigation last weekend.

Officers with the RPD said Hall refused to leave a shooting crime scene at S&T Lounge on June 18 and was arrested for obstruction.

Hall, who leads the group Pathways to Peace, is called upon frequently to act as a bridge between police officers and the community.

Halls supporters returned to the scene of last weekends shooting to say that Halls presence at the investigation was no different.

People are familiar with Mr. Hall in law enforcement, said community activist Antonia Wynter. He wasnt there to obstruct justice sticking his nose in someone elses business.

Activists said they want a formal apology from RPD, as well as the release of the body-cam footage from the crime scene.

This was racist targeting and the fact that Anthony Hall, for many years, has acted as a bridge between law enforcement and community, said Melanie Funchess, a member of the Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group.

In a press statement, RPD officials acknowledge Hall made a complaint of the conduct of the officer who approached him and an investigation is underway.

Hall nor the RPD are offering further information at this time.

Read more:
Rochester community reacts to arrest of Anthony Hall - RochesterFirst

Cambridge Middle School students had the opportunity to experience what being a police officer was like when they participated in the inauguralCambridge Youth Citizens Police Academy.

The goal of the academy was to strengthen relationships between us and the kids," saidRyan Oliver, the school resource officer with the Cambridge Police Department.

Jazlynne Loy,Jasper Payton, both 11, and Gunner Goodman, 13, along with 10 other students spent four days a week for nearly three weeks bonding with and learning from officers from the CPD and the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Students received hands-on experience in a variety of law enforcement tasks. During the first week, students went through a leadership course withLt. Melanie Appleman of the Highway Patrol, learning to march in formation, defense tactics, handcuffing and restraints,use of force and what it means, and crime scene investigation with the FBI.

With the FBI, students went through a mock crime scene and completed shoe casting, lifted finger prints and were shown how to investigate the scene.

Gunner, who wanted to participate because he wants to be a police officer, saidhandcuffing and restraints along with learning to talk someone down when entering a building were his favorite activities.

During week two, students toured the police department with Capt. Dave Peoples and saw the day-to-day operations of the department. While there they participated in a building search and learned the procedures followed by the officers for clearing a room .

Jazlynne said her favorite thing was thetour of the police station.

"They take calls and stuff and go out andto save people," Jazlynne said, adding she didn't realize the officers did so much.

Also during the second week, students were introduced to department's SWAT teams and K9s, received CPR, first aid and stop the bleed training.

"God forbid there is ever an active shooter at the school, the kids will be trained withthe same training the staff has," Oliver said. "So if we ever have that at the schools, the kids will know how to apply tourniquets, how to package wounds stuff like that."

During the final two days, students went to the firing range where they received instruction on gun safety. They were able to fire 22 caliber rifles the assistance of officers and troopers and use a shooting simulator.

Jasper liked the defense tactics and learning to talk to people who have a weapon.

The final day was just a day for the officers to hang out with the youths and have fun with them. They spent the day at Deerassic Park doing archery tag, canoeing, kayaking, water safety and fishing, according to Oliver, who described it a bonding day.

"We want the kids to realize we are not these intimidating people, but that we are everyday people just like them and that there is no reason for them to be scared or intimidated of us when we are here to help them," Oliver said. "We want to strengthen the relationship between us and the kids.

Jazlynne, Jasper and Gunner said they really enjoyed hanging out with the officers and they had a lot of fun with them. Each of them also said they would do the academy again if they could.

The idea for the youth academy came from Police ChiefMark DeLancey who thought if they could do an adult academy then why couldn't they do a youth version.

The youth academy, which Oliver hopes will become a yearly thing, is designed for students in sixth through eighth grades.

Oliver believes that middle school is the time when students are easily influenced and he is hoping developing relationships with them at this age will help them stay on the right path through life.

More:
Police Academy allowed students to see how officers respond to situations - The Daily Jeffersonian

A 19-year-old from New Jersey is facing multiple charges in connection to a pontoon boat accident that took place last year in Barnegat Bay in Toms River and ended in the death of one of the passengers on the vessel, prosecutors say.

Juan Fernandez II, of Towaco, was indicted on charges of death by vessel, strict liability vehicular homicide, and assault by vessel, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced Thursday.

A group of around six people, including Corey Molinari, 19, of Whippany, were in a pontoon boat in the Barnegat Bay near the Route 37 Bridge in the early morning of June 13, 2021 when it crashed into a channel marker.

Two of the five people were thrown into the water but made it back to the boat. Molinari was seriously injured in the crash.

When the boat made it back to a home in Toms River, New Jersey, around 1 a.m., the father of one of the victims called 911 to report Molinaris injuries.

"They seem to have had an accident and one of the kids that is on the boat is like out and he's like bleeding," the father says in a call obtained by NBC10.

Officers responded to Antiqua Avenue and found that Molinari had been ejected from a pontoon boat and suffered serious bodily injury including severe head trauma, according to prosecutors.

Molinari was treated on scene and subsequently airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he died from his injuries, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. At least six other occupants of the boat were identified and treated on scene for various injuries.

A probe into the crash by the New Jersey State Police Troop C Criminal Investigation Office, New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit allegedly determined that Fernandez was the operator of the pontoon boat when it struck a cement channel marker. Allegedly, he had been consuming alcohol while operating the pontoon boat.

Fernandez was subsequently taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he consented to a draw of his blood at approximately 9:32 a.m and was allegedly found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .037%. However, according to prosecutors, they retained the services of Robert Pandina, a forensic psycho-pharmacologist, who analyzed findings and concluded through extrapolation analysis that Fernandez's BAC at the time of the crash was between .13% and .15%. The legal limit to operate a vehicle is 0.08% for those 21 and older.

Fernandez was arrested at his residence on Sept. 9, 2021, but was later released.

We would like people to know there are limitations on the water, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Robert Frake previously said following the deadly crash. Weve been pushing really hard for the wearing of life jackets, PFDs and make sure theyre properly fitted.

Sgt. Frake also spoke about the difficulty of seeing obstructions in the water while boating at night.

Not everything is lit up out there at night so we want people to be conscious of their restricted visibility, he said. If there is alcohol consumption involved obviously, that could create more problems.

Additionally, during the investigation, Fernandez's father, Juan A. Fernandez, Sr., 59, was questioned by law enforcement in connection with this investigation. It was determined that the father provided false information to detectives during the course of the investigation and has also been indicted for hindering apprehension or prosecution.

See the rest here:
19-Year-Old Indicted in Connection to Deadly 2021 NJ Pontoon Boat Crash - NBC New York