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Samantha Bonora, 31, of Howell, was charged with one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, in the Jan. 13 collision that killed Kylie Williams, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Friday, Feb. 2. Bonora was also charged with driving under the influence and several motor vehicle summonses.
Howell police responded to a crash on Route 34 near the Colts Neck border at around 4:41 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. Investigators said Bonora was driving south in a pickup when she crossed into the northbound lane.
Bonora's truck crashed head-on with a Jeep Grand Cherokee on Route 34 North. Her pickup was then hit in the rear by another oncoming SUV.
A three-year-old girl in the Grand Cherokee was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and a two-year-old boy in the Jeep were seriously injured.
Bonora and the other SUV driver had minor injuries. Investigators said Bonora was under the influence of several narcotics during the crash.
A GoFundMe page identified the girl as Kylie Williams and the Jeep driver as her mother Joelle. According to the fundraiser, Joelle was severely injured in the wreck and has needed multiple surgeries.
The GoFundMe page had raised more than $282,000 from at least 2,900 donations as of Friday, Feb. 2. The fundraiser was made on behalf of Kylie's grandfather Jack Williams.
In an update posted on the GoFundMe page on Sunday, Jan. 28, Joelle described the family's day leading up to the crash.
"The actual accident I don’t remember, but I’m told that I was awake at the scene," the GoFundMe update from Joelle said. "I am told I kept asking, “What happened” Where am I?” “Where are my babies, where are they” I want nothing more than my baby back."
The update did not mention the charges against Bonora. She's being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute and awaits an appearance in county superior court.
Anyone with information about the crash should call the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 800-533-7443 or the Howell Township Police Department at 732-938-4575, ext. 2663.
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