Mother Accidentally Crushes Infant Son While Moving Car in Driveway. Now She Is Charged in His Death

A New Jersey mother accused of crushing her son to death while trying to move a car is now being charged.

Wendy Castillo-Torres, 30, is charged with causing death while driving without a valid driver’s license following the incident, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

That charge was announced on May 17, the same day that Castillo-Torres allegedly killed her child while washing cars in the driveway of a friend’s home.

The Jackson Township Police arrived at the scene shortly after 6 p.m. following a 911 call from the residence, according to a news release from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Officers quickly got to work by rushing the unresponsive 10-month-old infant, who had serious injuries, to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the Monmouth Medical Center, per the release.

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Billhimer said that Castillo-Torres had placed her son in a bouncer seat between two cars while she was washing the vehicles that day. 

Once finished, Castillo-Torres got into one of the vehicles so she could move it, but instead of putting the vehicle in reverse she placed the vehicle in drive, he said. Her son, sitting in the bouncer seat between the two vehicles, got crushed as he became trapped between them.

Castillo-Torres quickly put the car in reverse when she realized what was happening, but it was too late, according to the release.

Once authorities arrived on the scene and started to investigate the incident, they allegedly learned that Castillo-Torres did not have a license. Soon after, charges were filed.

“Our investigation indicates that this is a tragic accident,” Billhimer said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.”

Castillo-Torres was served via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.