Lindenwold e-bike rider killed and NJ driver, 65, charged in DUI

⚠️ Police say the driver showed signs of intoxication after Saturday night's crash.

➡️ Erica Beeks, 46, died at the scene after an SUV struck her e-bike.

🔴 Investigators were awaiting blood sample results as the case moved toward a detention hearing.

A 65-year-old Camden County woman is accused of drunk driving and causing a deadly crash that killed an e-bike rider over the weekend.

Deborah Carey, of Pine Hill, was charged with the second-degree reckless death by auto of 46-year-old Erica Beeks, of Lindenwold, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay said.

Carey was also issued multiple tickets, including for DUI, following the Saturday night wreck.

Police say e-bike rider was struck on Laurel Road

Lindenwold Police responded to the 1900 block of Laurel Road for a crash around 10:24 p.m.

Officers found a 2022 white Nissan Rogue pulled onto a residential front lawn, while the victim was lying next to her mangled e-bike in a driveway, bleeding from her head.

There was also a fallen utility pole, while the Nissan had visible damage consistent with hitting the e-bike and the pole, according to an affidavit filed by investigators.

Beeks died at the scene.

The victim's boyfriend spoke with police as a witness, as he had been riding his own e-bike about 10 to 20 feet behind Beeks, according to investigators.

He said they were riding southbound on the shoulder of Laurel Road, when the Nissan swerved from his left side and into the path of the victim, striking Beeks’ e-bike and the pole.

Affidavit describes signs of possible intoxication

Officers smelled alcohol on Carey's breath and noted slurred speech and incoherent behavior.

They said Carey was unbalanced and had trouble keeping her flip flops on, the affidavit said.

Results of a blood sample taken from Carey after the crash were pending, as part of the investigation.

Carey was being held at Camden County jail, ahead of a detention hearing.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Samuel Funches III of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Crash Response Investigation Team at 856-225-8083 and Detective Ryan Brennan of the Lindenwold Police Department at 856-784-7566.

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