On December 19, 2018, at approximately 11:38 p.m., a fatal motor vehicle accident occurred on Pitney Road in Absecon, New Jersey. Suzana Kocick, 36, of Galloway Township, was involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle driven by Kaitlyn Hayes, 24, of Pleasantville. Hayes was traveling southbound on Pitney Road when her vehicle crossed into the northbound lane, striking Kocick’s car head-on. Kocick was pronounced dead at the scene, while Hayes was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. ​

An investigation revealed that Hayes was under the influence of marijuana and was traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph prior to the crash. She later admitted to smoking marijuana about an hour before the incident. Hayes was subsequently arrested on charges of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide in a school zone. ​

This tragic event underscores the critical importance of refraining from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving while impaired significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death.