Woman Ingested Cocaine Before Killing E. Hanover Man, Prosecutor Says

Toxicology results have revealed a Parsippany woman accused of killing an East Hanover man with her car in May had ingested cocaine earlier that day, according to Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Kelley Lavery.

The Daily Record reported that Lavery shared the results of tests at an arraignment held Tuesday in Superior Court in Morristown. According to the prosecutor's office, cocaine was found in blood samples taken from 32-year-old Vanessa E. Brown, who pled not guilty to .

If found guilty on both charges, Brown could receive a sentence of as much as 40 years behind bars.

The woman is accused of killing Ralph Politi Jr., a business owner and community leader, as he stood outside of his business All Jersey Garage Door at 30 Ridgedale Ave. in East Hanover May 5.

Brown told police that Politi had moved in front of her car, but Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said . Her car reportedly kept moving until it slammed into nearby parked cars.

Brown is being held in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $400,000 bail. 

Brown's next court date is expected to take place Sept. 24.