Driver charged after Route 22 crash in Warren County leads to drug seizure, police say

LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — A Morris County woman was charged with drug offenses following a motor vehicle crash at a Lopatcong Township intersection late last month, police said.

Lopatcong police were dispatched at about 10:59 a.m. Nov. 29, to the area of Route 22 eastbound and Rand Boulevard for a reported crash. Officers determined that a gray 2023 Hyundai Elantra failed to stop for a red traffic signal and struck a tractor-trailer that was turning from Route 22 onto Rand Boulevard, police said.

The driver of the Hyundai was identified as Jennifer R. Krautheim of Wharton Borough.

During the investigation, officers reported observing drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle. A subsequent search allegedly uncovered about 50 bags of suspected heroin along with additional drug paraphernalia containing trace amounts of suspected heroin, police said.

Krautheim was taken into custody and charged with third-degree possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense, authorities said.

She was also issued traffic summonses for disregarding a traffic signal, careless driving, failure to maintain lanes and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, police said.

Krautheim was lodged in the Warren County Jail pending her first appearance in Warren County Superior Court.