New Jersey Woman Avoids Prison After Crash That Killed Two When Jury Rejects Marijuana Impairment Claim
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY — A New Jersey woman convicted in a deadly five-car highway crash that killed two men has avoided prison time after prosecutors failed to convince a jury that she was impaired by marijuana at the time of the collision.
Danielle M. Bowker, 34, was sentenced Friday to five years of probation and a two-year driver’s license suspension following her conviction on two counts of third-degree vehicular manslaughter, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The sentence was handed down by Dina M. Vicari and marked a significant departure from what prosecutors had sought.
Prosecutors Sought Prison, Judge Imposed Probation
State prosecutors requested that Bowker be sentenced to three years in state prison for each victim, served consecutively — a potential six-year sentence.
Instead, the court opted for probation, citing the jury’s rejection of drug-related impairment allegations.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said the outcome still reflected accountability.
“While nothing can bring their loved ones back, we hope today’s verdict provides some measure of justice and closure,” Billhimer said in a statement.
Deadly Five-Car Pileup on Route 571
The crash occurred around 7:15 a.m. on March 29, 2022, along Route 571 in Manchester Township, roughly 30 miles southeast of Trenton.
According to investigators from the Manchester Township Police Department, Bowker was driving a 2018 Honda Civic westbound when her vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a New Jersey Department of Transportation Ford F-550 pickup truck head-on.
Although neither Bowker nor the pickup’s occupants were killed in the initial impact, the collision triggered a chain reaction.
The pickup truck lost control and slammed into a 2012 Toyota Camry driven by Michael Sadis, 48, pushing the vehicle off the roadway and into an embankment. The same truck then struck a 2015 Toyota Corolla driven by Paul Lamberti, 58.
Sadis was pronounced dead at the scene. Lamberti was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he later died from his injuries.
Marijuana Allegations Fail at Trial
Bowker was initially charged in June 2022 with multiple offenses, including vehicular homicide, assault by auto, strict liability vehicular homicide, and driving while intoxicated. She was formally indicted by a grand jury in February 2023.
Prosecutors alleged Bowker was a recent and active marijuana user, citing laboratory results showing THC in her blood. At the time, the state’s expert claimed the presence of THC meant Bowker was impaired and unable to safely operate a vehicle.
During the trial, Bowker admitted she had smoked marijuana the night before the crash, but a defense expert testified that any intoxicating effects would have worn off by the time she woke up and drove the following morning.
The jury ultimately rejected all marijuana-related charges, finding that prosecutors failed to prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to courtroom reporting, jurors concluded Bowker’s recklessness stemmed from failure to maintain her lane, not drug intoxication.
Families Left Without Prison Sentence
Though Bowker avoided incarceration, the vehicular manslaughter convictions still carry long-term consequences, including probation supervision and loss of driving privileges.
Prosecutors emphasized that reckless driving — even absent impairment — can still be deadly.
“Reckless driving is not a mistake,” Billhimer said after the verdict. “It is a dangerous choice that costs lives.”
Bowker will remain under court supervision for the next five years as the families of Michael Sadis and Paul Lamberti continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones.
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