Baby Thrown From Cab Was Not in Child Restraint, Cops Say

A 14-month-old baby who was ejected from a taxi cab in April when it was crashed into by another car was not using a child restraint at the time of the accident, Hackettstown Police Sgt. Darren Tynan said Thursday.

As the investigation into the April 1 crash continues, the baby and her parents, Miguel Miranda, 46, and Zeida Bonilla, 26, both of Hackettstown, all remain hospitalized at Morristown Medical Center. Initially, the baby was taken to the hospital for a head injury.

The crash happened at about 4 p.m. when 63-year-old Mary Canavan, of Hackettstown, was driving north on Lafayette Street in a 1999 Toyota when she allegedly drove through a stop sign and struck a taxi cab going west on Franklin Street. The cab, a 2005 Ford, was being driven by 41-year-old Miguel Caceres, of Hackettstown, Tynan said.

The impact of the crash pushed the cab into a telephone pole, trapping Bonilla, Miranda and Caceres inside, the baby being ejected from the back of the car. Canavan complained of pain, although the four-year-old passenger in her car was not injured, according to Tynan.

Bonilla and Miranda suffered hip injuries and were transported by ambulance to Morristown Medical Center. The baby was flown by helicopter to Morristown Medical Center. The Hackettstown Fire Department and Hackettstown First Aid Squad assisted police at the scene.

Tynan said Thursday that Canavan and Caceres have since been released from Hackettstown Regional Medical Center. 

Canavan was issued a summons for careless driving, but the Hackettstown Police Department Detective Bureau and Warren County Prosecutor's Office could issue further charges once the investigation concludes.

For questions on this report, email ariana.cohn-sheehan@patch.com.