Jennifer Jean Jones Had 94 Bottles Of Liquor, Drugs In Her Car When She Reportedly Struck, Killed 15-Year-Old Trinity Brooks
DUNDALK, Md. (WJZ) — A 30-year-old woman was charged in the death of 15-year-old Trinity Lynn Brooks in a fatal Dundalk crash.
Jennifer Jean Jones, of the 300 block of Chalet Drive, was charged with negligent manslaughter by vehicle.
Charging documents layout disturbing details that lead to the crash.
Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jones allegedly struck and killed Trinity while she was walking on the sidewalk.
According to charging documents, the Nissan Altima Jones was driving swerved on Delvale Avenue before jumping the sidewalk and striking Trinity. After striking Trinity, Jones continued to drive striking a tree and going through a fence on at 1820 Marshall Road. Jones continued to drive through backyards finally coming to rest at 1814 Marshall Road. Trinity was found in the backyard of a home on that block.
A witness told police that Jones was speeding when she lost control of the car prior to colliding with Trinity.
First responders found Jones unconscious in her car with an odor of alcohol. A firefighter also administered Narcan because he believed Jones was under the influence of an opioid.
Jones admitted to an EMT she had seven "shots," according to charging documents.
Jones also told police she started driving at 10 a.m. and had her last drink about five minutes before the crash, charging documents show. She was heard telling first responders "I'm drunk," and took a blood test to determine her blood alcohol level.
During a search of car, police found two empty 200 ml bottles of Fireball 66 proof whiskey on the floorboard of the front passenger seat. The officer also found 92 bottles of "99 brand" liquor on the floorboard.
Police also found a glass pipe with marijuana and a substance they believe was heroin in her pocket as well as several pills bottles identified as Bupropion and Hydrochloride.
Jones told police she drinks heavily daily and is a recovering heroin user currently in a treatment program.
Police said Jones didn't even remember the crash and was told by a medic she struck someone. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Brooks' family said they are angry and disappointed Jones decided to get behind the wheel after having so much to drink.
"This woman knew better to get behind when She was drinking all day long," said Brooks' grandmother Gennie Scarff.
Brooks was one of five siblings; her brothers told WJZ she loved art, music and animals.
"(She had) a lot more ahead of her. But we'll never get to see and I think we all would have liked to," her brother Xavior Reinhardt said.
"(I'm) still expecting her to walk through that door and just be like 'Hey, we got you,' but I know that's not going to happen," another brother, Austin Brooks, said.
Friends said Brooks was walking home from the grocery store and was only a block away from her family's home when the crash happened.
"She cared about other people more than she probably cared about herself," a friend said.
"All of us have been crying even every parent has been crying around here," another friend said.
A small memorial was created in honor of Trinity at the site of the crash. Two GoFundMe fundraisers have been opened to raise money for Trinity's family to pay for her funeral costs.
In court Thursday, Jones waived her right to appear at a bail review hearing. She will continue to be held without bond.
Her trial is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2020.
