Danielle Bowker (Photo: OCPO)
A 30-year-old Toms River woman has been found guilty of vehicular homicide after a trial that spanned nearly five weeks in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Dina M. Vicari.
Danielle Bowker, 30, of Toms River, was found guilty Thursday of two counts of third-degree Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Manchester Township on March 29, 2022, resulting in the deaths of Michael Sadis, 48, of Toms River, and Paul Lamberti, 58, also of Toms River. The case hinged on whether Bowker was driving recklessly when the fatal crash occurred. She is scheduled to be sentenced by Vicari on Dec. 12, 2025, at which time she faces up to five years in New Jersey State Prison as to each of the two counts.
The accident occurred at about 7:15 a.m. in the area of Whitesville Road and Route 571. Responding officers determined that four vehicles were involved in the crash. Investigators who worked to piece together the events that led to the accident believe that a 2018 Honda Civic operated by Bowker was traveling westbound on Route 571 when she failed to maintain her lane of travel while negotiating a right-hand curve, the statement said.
The Civic ultimately struck a New Jersey Department of Transportation Ford F-550 pickup truck operated by Eduardo Rivera, 30, of Hamilton Township, which was traveling eastbound on Route 571. Daniel Septor, 26, of the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township, was his passenger. As a consequence, the large F-550 lost control and struck a 2012 Toyota Camry operated by Michael Sadis, 48, of Toms River, pushing the Camry off the roadway into an embankment.
Sadis was pronounced deceased at the scene. Lamberti was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Rivera and Septor were transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of minor injuries. Bowker sustained minor injuries from the crash and was also taken to Community Medical Center for treatment and subsequently released.
On June 21, 2022, Bowker was charged with two counts of second degree vehicular homicide, two counts of strict liability vehicular homicide, and two counts of assault by auto, all in connection with the crash. She surrendered herself to Manchester Township Police Headquarters that day in the presence of her attorney. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail and later released in accordance with the state’s bail reform law. Bowker was indicted Feb. 15, 2023.
“Reckless driving is not a mistake – it is a dangerous choice that costs lives,” said Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer. “This jury’s verdict makes clear that we will hold drivers accountable when they put other lives at risk. Let this verdict serve as a cautionary tale: if you drive recklessly and take a life, you will face the consequences.”
Billhimer continued: “While nothing can bring their loved ones back, we hope today’s verdict provides some measure of justice and closure for the loved ones of Michael Sadis and Paul Lamberti.”
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