Arrested: Unconscious Female Driver In Egg Harbor Township, NJ

The Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey Police: Department responded on Friday, May 10, 2024 to an unusual situation.

They were called to the Egg Harbor Township ShopRite grocery store parking lot, where they encountered the following:

At approximately 1147 hours, The Egg Harbor Township Police Department responded to the parking lot of the Shoprite Grocery Store for a welfare check of a female who appeared disoriented. While Officers were responding to the scene, it was reported that the female was behind the wheel of her vehicle appearing to be unconscious. The vehicle was determined to be a 2010 Black Ford Expedition which was being operated by the registered owner, Anna Dow. The vehicle was located by Officer Newman traveling north bound on English Creek Avenue just south of the intersection with the Black Horse Pike. Multiple citizens flagged Officer Newman down to point out the Black Expedition as he arrived on scene. As Officer Newman positioned his patrol vehicle directly behind the Expedition, it continued to roll forward towards the intersection with the Black Horse Pike. Dow did not stop the vehicle as Officer Newman had his overhead lights and siren activated as she was still incapacitated behind the wheel, according to the Egg Harbor Township Police Department.

This situation was still not over as “Dow's vehicle continued to drive forward towards the intersection with the Black Horse Pike which had vehicles traveling at or above the posted speed limit of 50 miles per hour,” said the Egg Harbor Township Police Department.

Dow's vehicle now headed to the intersection, against with traffic on the Black Horse Pike.

Fast thinking by Officer Newman, who measured the dangerous situation with great skill, positioned his patrol vehicle in front of the Expedition to bring it to a stop.

After what the Egg Harbor Township Police called a “minor collision,” Officer Newman rendered medical attention to Dow, who was now awake.

The Egg Harbor Township Police Department also put Dow through field sobriety testing … where impairment was NOT detected.

Dow told the Egg Harbor Township Police that she had “not slept for multiple days.”

“As a result of the investigation, Dow was arrested following a search of her vehicle after K-9 Odin gave positive indication for the presence of a controlled substance. Drug paraphernalia and suspected heroin were located in the vehicle. Dow as released on a summons per bail reform,” said the Egg Harbor Township Police.

NOTE: This incident is being investigated by Officer Nathan Lahr and the Traffic Safety Unit. if you have information or any questions regarding the crash, you may direct them to the Egg Harbor Township Police Department at (609) 927-5200.

SOURCE: Captain Michael Finnerty, Egg Harbor Township Police Department.