New Jersey driver who caused Freehold, NJ crash that killed mother and child is arrested

A Little Egg Harbor man has been arrested and charged with causing a car crash in Freehold Township on July 14 around 5:00 pm, which claimed the lives of a mother and her 3-year old daughter.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced that 53-year old Thomas F. Polson was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of second-degree Vehicular Homicide, one count of third-degree Hindering Apprehension, two counts of fourth-degree Assault by Auto and one count of fourth-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

An initial investigation led to law enforcement learning that Polson suddenly left the southbound lane of Siloam Road near Old Turkey Swamp Road in his Ford F-350 and struck a Honda CRV driven by a 34-year old Jackson Township man and as a result caused that driver's vehicle to hit a Chrysler Pacifica head-on which was being driven by Denise James, 42, of Ocean Township (Ocean County).

As the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team, and Freehold Township Police continued with their investigation they found out later that Polson was driving at the time while under the influence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

The crash claimed the life of Denise James on scene and her 3-year old daughter who was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, passed away not long after that from her injuries.

Her other two children in the vehicle at the time, 9-years old and 13-years old, were taken to JSUMC as well, but were later released from care.

A GoFundMe page created at the time identified the family and then the father/husband who is a Corrections Officer, Lt. Craig James.

Polson remains inside the Monmouth County Correctional Institution following his arrest and will stay pending his first court appearance and detention hearing.

If convicted of the second-degree charges, Polson may face up to 10-years in prison.

Anyone with information on this fatal crash is asked to call MCPO Detective Nicolas Logothetis at 800-533-7443 or Freehold Township Police Department Patrolman Justin Nunno at 732-294-5139.

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Prosecutor Santiago said that this case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner, Director of the Major Crimes Bureau and that Polson is represented by William J. Rush, Esq., of Carlstadt.