There were no reported issues with the woman's pregnancy following the crash, police said.
SPARTA -- A 20-year-old man is facing charges because police say he was driving recklessly before he crashed his Chevy Trailblazer head-on into a pregnant woman's Jeep Liberty last month.
Joshua M. Buttacavole, of Lodi, was charged with fourth-degree assault by auto for injuries to the woman, Melissa D. Scevola, 36, of Hamburg, and disorderly persons offense of assault by auto for injuries to his 20-year-old passenger, Nicholas M. Baya, also of Lodi, Sparta Police Sgt. Dennis Proctor said in a news release.
Buttacavole, he said, was driving substantially over the speed limit and drove into the shoulder from the right lane in order to pass another vehicle. It was when he reentered the right lane Buttacavole lost control of his Chevy.
He's also been charged with making false statements to authorities and obstruction of justice.
Based on the investigation, Buttacavole was driving his Chevy north on Route 15 near the 12 mile-marker shortly before 10 a.m. on July 19 when he lost control and overturned onto the grass median before hitting Scevola's Jeep head-on in the southbound lane.
Scevola, who was entrapped in the vehicle after the crash, was extricated and taken to Morristown Medical Center for treatment. Despite suffering broken bones and lacerations, the crash did not interfere with her pregnancy, police said.
Baya, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, has been charged with fourth-degree hindering for allegedly providing a false statement to officers, Proctor said.
Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.