MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — A Budd Lake woman has been charged in connection with a motor vehicle crash on Route 46 that injured three people, including a juvenile, according to police.
Police said the crash occurred at about 1:29 p.m. Sept. 14, 2025, near a Sunoco gas station on Route 46. Responding officers found a Chevrolet Equinox overturned in the left eastbound lane and a Chevrolet Trailblazer with damage to the passenger side.
According to the investigation, the Trailblazer allegedly turned left from Route 46 west directly in front of the Equinox, causing the Equinox to strike the passenger side of the Trailblazer and overturn.
Two adults traveling in the Equinox and a juvenile female passenger in the Trailblazer suffered injuries as a result of the crash, police said.
The driver of the Trailblazer was identified as Marisa C. Nowakowski, 30, of Budd Lake. Police said they detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed signs of impairment while speaking with her at the scene. Field sobriety tests were conducted as part of the investigation.
On Dec. 18, 2025, Nowakowski turned herself in at police headquarters and was arrested without incident, authorities said.
She was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, assault by auto, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to yield the right of way. She was released pending a court hearing.
