N.J. Driver Faces Murder Charges After Deadly Hit-and-Run of a Woman She Knew: Prosecutors

Breanna Rowley, 22, is accused of hitting Caroline Bump, 21, at a high rate of speed with her car and leaving her for dead, say authorities

Nov 8, 2024 - 20:11
 4827
N.J. Driver Faces Murder Charges After Deadly Hit-and-Run of a Woman She Knew: Prosecutors

Breanna Rowley, 22, is accused of hitting Caroline Bump, 21, at a high rate of speed with her car and leaving her for dead, say authorities

OFFICE OF THE Cumberland COUNTY PROSECUTOR Caroline Bump

OFFICE OF THE Cumberland COUNTY PROSECUTOR Caroline Bump

A New Jersey driver is facing murder charges after allegedly striking a woman she knew with her car and leaving her for dead on the side of the road, authorities said.

On Monday, Oct. 21, Breanna Rowley, 22, of Vineland, allegedly struck Caroline Bump, 21, “at a high rate of speed” with her 2003 Infinity when Bump was standing in the road in Millville, the Cumberland County Office of the Prosecutor said in a release. 

A review of surveillance video in the neighborhood showed she was hit at 11:11 p.m., the prosecutor's office said in the release.

“The State alleges that the parties knew each other and were together prior to the criminal conduct that caused the victim’s death,” the prosecutor’s office said.

After allegedly hitting Bump, Rowley fled the area, leaving the victim “severely injured and/or deceased without providing aid or otherwise calling for assistance,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Two hours later, at 1:39 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, a passing motorist found Bump on the side of the road, dead “as a result of the high-speed impact and injuries resulting therefrom,” the prosecutor’s office said.

OFFICE OF THE Cumberland COUNTY PROSECUTOR Car that allegedly hit Caroline Bump.

OFFICE OF THE Cumberland COUNTY PROSECUTOR Car that allegedly hit Caroline Bump.

Rowley allegedly took steps to conceal the damage to her car and her involvement after the incident occurred, prosecutors said.

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Immediately after the incident, police began searching for the driver of the car. 

On Oct. 25, she was initially charged in Salem County with obstruction (of) the administration of law, hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence.

The prosecutor’s office charged her with the other crimes, including murder, on Nov. 7.

Rowley is being held in the Salem County Jail pending a detention hearing. It is unclear whether she has retained an attorney who can speak on her behalf.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Detective Christopher Johnson at 856-453-0486, ext. 23607. Tips can be submitted anonymously at CCPO.TIPS.

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