Repeat Offender Backs Into Officer, Patrol Car, Then Hits Another Vehicle Before Fleeing On Foot, Police Say

LACEY, NJ — A Forked River woman with a warrant for her arrest and a lengthy criminal history hit a cop and two cars while trying to flee police, according to a news release.

Brooke I. Mathews, 27, was pulled over by police in a Lacey Road business parking lot near Newark Avenue on July 15 at about 4:30 p.m., police said.

During the course of the motor vehicle stop, Mathews tried to flee by driving her vehicle into reverse, striking a police officer and vehicle, police said.

She then sped forward around officers onto Lacey Road where she struck another vehicle in traffic and continued fleeing, police said.

Mathews ultimately drove to her Forked River home and kept fleeing on foot, police said.

After searching the area, officers found her and took her into custody. It was discovered that Mathews had an active no bail arrest warrant out of the Ocean County Sheriff's Department.

She was charged with eluding, aggravated assault, obstructing the administration of law along with several motor vehicle violations including reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident and failure to stop.

Court records show that Mathews has a lengthy criminal history, mostly comprised of drug and traffic offenses.

She was taken to Ocean County Jail.

Though the vehicles she struck were damaged, no injuries were reported in either crash, and the officer struck was unharmed, police said.