Woman Charged in April Collision That Injured 3-Year-Old Girl

A Oklahoma woman has been charged in connection with a car crash that happened in April.

Chelsie Ward, 33, was just a week out of treatment at a North Carolina methadone facility when a car she was operating drifted across lanes on Lincoln Highway  in front of the Woodcrest Apartments and crashed into opposing traffic, police said.

Ward and the two individuals – a father from Morrisville and his 3-year-old daughter – in the opposite car were transported to St. Mary’s for treatment after the collision, police said.

A witness traveling behind Ward told police that her hatchback drifted across lanes and into oncoming traffic, according to court papers.

At the scene of the accident, officers located and positively field tested a packet for heroin residue. A pill bottle with four tablets, paperwork for a treatment facility and bags were openly visible inside the car, the criminal complaint said.

Following the crash, Ward told officers that she did not remember how the collision happened, but told police that she was traveling south on Route 1 or I-95 to visit a friend in New Jersey. When asked about the pills, Ward said that they were antidepressants prescribed by her doctor, police said.

Investigators executed a search warrant on Ward’s blood samples and it testing positive for fentanyl and norfentanyl, police said.

Investigators determined that the man driving the second vehicle had no time to react or break. Both occupants, including the young girl,  required extensive medical attention.

Ward is being charged with two felonies of aggravated assault by a motor vehicle, another felony for being involved in such a crash without a proper license, two misdemeanor DUI charges, two misdemeanors of recklessly endangering another person, two misdemeanors of being in possession of drug paraphernalia and a number of summary charges including reckless driving, driving without a license and disregarding her traffic lane.

Ward posted bail and is due back for a preliminary hearing.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.