Deadly crash with cop car — Long Branch man indicted on 19 counts

An alleged crime spree over the summer that ended with the death of a 38-year-old woman has resulted in a 19-count indictment for a resident of Long Branch.

Officials say Altonia Williams broke into a home on Narraganset Avenue in Long Branch during the early morning hours of 4 a.m. on Aug. 14, demanded money with a gun, and then purposely crashed into a police vehicle during his escape in a BMW from the scene.

According to police, Williams crashed into the patrol vehicle in the area of MacArthur and Elmwood Avenues, with a woman in his front passenger seat.

The passenger, Long Branch resident Tracee Blount, was transported to a hospital and was pronounced dead a couple hours later.

A crash between a police vehicle and a BMW driven by Long Branch Resident Altonia Williams resulted in the death of Williams' passenger Tracee Blount (Screenshot from footage released by Attorney General's Office)

Following the crash, Williams fled the vehicle and was found hiding in a bush with a loaded handgun, police say.

An investigation later revealed that Williams was high on marijuana during the crash and that his license was suspended.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced on Friday that Williams, 46, was indicted on:

⚫ Armed robbery

⚫ Armed burglary

⚫ Unlawful possession of a firearm

⚫ Possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose

⚫ Possession of a prohibited weapon

⚫ Eluding

⚫ Hindering

⚫ Certain persons not to have a weapon

⚫ Felony murder

⚫ Vehicular homicide

⚫ Aggravated manslaughter while eluding

⚫ Aggravated assault while eluding

⚫ Knowingly leaving the scene of an accident involving death

⚫ Driving while suspended causing death

⚫ Assault by auto

⚫ Four counts of aggravated assault by pointing a firearm

The officer involved in the crash with Williams was treated at a hospital for injuries and released.

New Jersey 101.5 has reached out to Williams' attorney for comment.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom

The 10 Most Stolen Vehicles In New Jersey

Gallery Credit: Jeff Deminski

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF