Eatontown Woman High On Fentanyl, Marijuana In Fatal 2021 Crash

BRICK, NJ — An Eatontown woman who was high on marijuana and other drugs when she caused a fatal car crash will serve five years in prison for the crime. Ashley Watkins, 32, was sentenced Monday, said Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

She was sentenced for the 2021 crash that killed 78-year-old Nancy Penrod of Brick.

Watkins, of Eatontown, pleaded guilty in October to a count of vehicular homicide. She also pleaded guilty Dec. 1 to a motor vehicle offense of driving while intoxicated, said the prosecutor.

Toxicology tests showed fentanyl, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and marijuana in Watkins' bloodstream on the day of the May 9, 2021 fatal crash.

The crash happened at 9:45 a.m. that day at Lanes Mill Road and Greenwood Loop in Brick: Police say Watkins, who was driving a 2011 Toyota Camry, crossed the center line of the road as she was driving southwest and hit a 2014 Dodge Caravan head-on.

Penrod died at Ocean Medical Center that same day. Her husband, Terry Penrod, 78, was driving and he suffered a broken leg.

Watkins suffered minor injuries and was taken to Ocean Medical Center for treatment, where she consented to the blood draw, officials said previously.

She will have to serve at least 85 percent of her sentence before she may be considered for parole eligibility, Billhimer said.

Initial Patch report on this crash: Woman Was High On Fentanyl In Fatal Brick Crash: Prosecutor (June 2021)