Maria CobonGuzman & Ariadna Lazaro-Flores Charged After Baby Dies in NJ Parking Lot

A mother and her two young children were struck by a vehicle during a trip to an Ocean County grocery store. Her infant son died, her daughter was injured and two women, Maria CobonGuzman and Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, were arrested.

A Child Died

The incident happened on August 28 in Jackson Township, New Jersey, when a car struck the mother as she pushed a stroller carrying her children.

Her nine-month-old son died after being taken to the hospital, while her five-year-old daughter and the mother were hospitalized. Authorities subsequently arrested two women in connection with the crash.

Unlicensed Driver

ABC7 New York reported that the woman driving the vehicle was identified by officials as Maria CobonGuzman. According to law enforcement statements, CobonGuzman was driving the car despite having never been issued a valid driver’s license.

The outlet noted that she came from Trenton and “was charged with manslaughter, operating a vehicle without ever having possessed or issued a valid driver’s license, and two counts of assault by auto.”

Charges Against Ariadna

People reported that prosecutors also filed criminal charges against Ariadna Lazaro-Flores. She’s 22 years old and hails from Toms River. Although she wasn’t driving the Ford Fusion, she was arrested because she allegedly allowed CobonGuzman to drive.

The outlet reported that “Lazaro-Flores has been charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another.”

Authorities say Lazaro-Flores knew CobonGuzman had never held a valid driver’s licence.

The Baby Was Already Buried

According to VIN News, The baby was identified as Yitzchok Rosenberg, the son of Pinchos and Golda Chana Rosenberg. Community members has sent out an urgent request for prayers for Yitzchok, his mother and his five-year-old sister, Rochel, while doctors treated them.

Tne news of his death spread through the Jewish communities of Jackson and nearby Lakewood, and Yitzchok was buried later that same day, before the beginning of Shabbat.

Local reports said his mother needed emergency surgery, while the prosecutor’s office later described her and Rochel as being in stable condition.

Detention and Next Steps

Following their arrests, both women were taken to the Ocean County Jail.

For now, they remain in detention ahead of their first hearing, but a date for that has not yet been revealed. Law enforcement officials have not advised whether any bail arrangements were made.

The case highlights how legal responsibility is tied to owning a vehicle and who you might allow to drive it. Permitting someone without a license to drive a car does not absolve the owner from facing criminal liability when accidents happen.

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