Brick Woman, 60, Charged In Fatal Accident

A 60-year-old Brick woman was arrested Thursday in connection with a fatal head-on traffic collision that took place last month, police said.

Deborah Tadych was charged with one count of death by auto several weeks after her vehicle allegedly struck and killed 65-year-old Susan Steeper of Brick.

The warrant was signed by Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson with bail set at $50,000, with no 10 percent option. After being processed, Tadych was transported and lodged in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.             

Since the crash Tadych has been hospitalized at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune with injuries sustained from the crash. Tadych was arrested upon her release from the hospital, police said.

The joint investigation with the Vehicular Homicide Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office resulted in the arrest.

On Dec. 18 at 6:37 p.m, Tadych allegedly crossed the double-yellow line in the center of Herbertsville Road, approximately 300 feet south of Sawmill Road, when the accident took place, police said.

Steeper was driving northbound on Herbertsville Road in her 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis when she was struck by a 2008 Hyundai Sonata, driven by Tadych.

Tadych's vehicle hit Steeper's head-on, police said.

Steeper had to be extricated from her vehicle by members of the Herbertsville Fire Department. She was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, where she later succumbed to internal injuries, police said.

Tadych was initially taken to the hospital with a fractured hip.

Brick Police Officer James Kelly and Sgt. Lawrence Petrola were the first responding officers. Brick Police EMS, Volunteer EMS and MONOC paramedics also responded.

Officer Jay Lampiasi and Dierking, both of the traffic safety unit, are investigating, assisted by Detective Alley of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Witnesses to the crash are being asked to call the traffic safety unit at 732-262-1140.