Long Branch Woman Facing Charges After Hitting Curbs, Trees

By Denise Di Stephan 

A Long Branch woman is facing drunken driving and other charges after allegedly losing control of her car and crashing into curbs and trees off Lanes Mills Road on Sunday, police said.

Elizabeth J. Schmidt, 23, suffered a head injury and a broken arm after losing control of her gray, four door 2007 Lexus ES 350 on Lanes Mill Road, north of Primrose Lane, said police, who were called to the scene at 3:09 a.m.

Schmidt had been driving southbound on Lanes Mill Road (County Route 549) when it veered right off of the roadway striking the southbound side curb, according to a prepared statement from police.

"After striking the curb the driver lost control of the vehicle and it began to skid across the southbound lanes. The vehicle continued into the northbound lanes and struck the curb on the northbound side. The vehicle became airborne a short distance and struck several trees in a wooded area before coming to rest," the statement says.

Officer Caulfield was the first officer on the scene. Several other units arrived on scene to assist with traffic. The Point Boro First Aid Squad and MONOC Paramedics responded to transport Schmidt.

At Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Caulfield charged Schmidt with driving while under the influence, driving while suspended, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving and careless driving.

Officers Lampiasi and Dierking of the Brick Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit responded to investigate the crash. Det. Thomas of the Brick Township Police ID Unit responded to photograph the scene. Traffic was detoured around the scene for approximately two hours while the investigation took place.