Howell woman, 31, indicted in Howell crash that killed 3-year-old Kylie Williams

HOWELL−A 31-year-old Howell woman has been indicted in a three-vehicle crash in January that claimed the life of 3-year-old Kylie Williams of Howell and injured her mother, brother and others, authorities said.

Samantha E. Bonora, 31, is facing charges of aggravated manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of assault by auto.

About 4:40 p.m. on Jan. 13, a Saturday, Bonora was driving a Dodge Ram pickup south on Route 34, just north of the Route 33 interchange in Howell, when the truck went into the northbound lane and slammed head-on into a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Julia Alonso said in a statement.

Bonora’s vehicle was stopped in the northbound lane when a Ford Bronco rear-ended the pickup, Alonso said.

More: More than 2,000 donations made to family of 3-year-old killed in Howell crash

The Cherokee was being driven by Kylie’s mother, Joelle Williams, who was seriously injured in the crash, according to a GoFundMe account supporting the family. Kylie's brother, Lucas, 2, suffered serious injuries, Alonso said. Joelle's Williams' sister, 37, from Wall, a passenger in the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, suffered minor injuries, according to the account.

Kylie died at the scene.

Bonora and the woman driving the Bronco, suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

An investigation showed that Bonora was under the influence of multiple drugs at the time of the collision, Alonso said.

Bonora remains at Monmouth County Jail awaiting an appeals court decision on her detention.

Her attorney, Steven E. Nelson of Neptune Township, declined to discuss the case.

Aggravated manslaughter carries a maximum prison term of 10 to 30 years.

Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Howell NJ woman indicted in auto death of 3-year-old girl