Texting, DWI Alleged in Separate Accidents on Drum Point

Two cars involved in separate single-vehicle crashes left the pavement on Drum Point Road within an hour Thursday morning, resulting in motor vehicle charges for the two drivers.

In the first accident, which occurred at midnight, a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt left the westbound lane of the road while approaching South Community Drive on the lefthand side and struck a mailbox, then a tree, Brick Police Capt. John Rein said.

The driver, 24-year-old Kaitlyn Dennis, of Brick, was not injured.

Dennis was issued a summons for improper use of a cell phone after admitting to police that she was texting when the accident occurred, Rein said.

The vehicle had to be towed from the scene. Officer Michael Feeney investigated.

An hour later, at 1:08 a.m., a Brick man driving a 1998 Jeep Cherokee also left the pavement while driving on Drum Point, this time flipping the vehicle.

Rein said the Jeep drove over a grass median at it turned onto Paul Jones Drive where it struck a bush and damaged the grass on the median. The vehicle then continued north on Drum Point, and the driver lost control just before Ritchie Court.

The Jeep crossed over onto the southbound lane of Drum Point, spinning 180 degrees, at which time the vehicle flipped onto its side and came to rest in front of 751 Drum Point, Rein said.

The driver of the vehicle, Keith A. Jacob, 18, told police an animal had crossed into his path, Rein said.

Jacob was charged with DWI, failure to wear a seatbelt and making an unsafe lane change.

Brick Police EMS responded, but neither Jacob nor his two passengers, a 15-year-old male from Brick and a 19-year-old male from Bayville, accepted treatment.

Officer James Iannarone investigated the accident. Feeney made the arrest.