BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township woman is facing aggravated assault charges after she stabbed a man outside a bar in what police say was an unprovoked attack.
Dana P. Manuel, 47, was found covered in dried blood when she was arrested while driving along Mantoloking Road following the Aug. 10 incident at the Arrowhead Bar, Brick Patrolman Keith Donnelly said in a news release.
The victim, a 33-year-old man, was stabbed twice during the incident and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, for treatment, Donnelly said.
Police were called to the bar on Route 88 about 9:50 p.m. on Aug. 10 and were told the victim did not know Manuel. The man was standing in the parking lot when Manuel, who was described as extremely intoxicated, approached the man and started yelling at him.
She then allegedly charged at the man and "chest-bumped" him and stabbed him in the abdomen. The victim tackled Manual to the ground in an attempt to stop her but when they stood back up, Manual stabbed him again, this time in the left arm, Donnelly said. At that point, the victim and a bystander tackled Manual and were able to disarm her. Manual then got back up, ran to her vehicle and fled the scene, he said.
Police began searching for the vehicle she was seen driving and Patrolman Feeney found it headed east on Mantoloking Road. After he pulled the vehicle over, Feeney found Manual driving it, and her clothing and skin were covered in what appeared to be dried blood, Donnelly said.
During questioning, Manual admitted to being involved in a fight at the Arrowhead Bar, but said she was the victim. Manual refused to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Because of the amount of dried blood, she was take to Ocean Medical Center, Brick, to be evaluated for any injuries she may have received in the fight.
After being released from the hospital, Manual was taken to Brick Police Headquarters where she was charged with second-degree aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury; third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree terroristic threats, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and numerous motor vehicle violations including: DUI, careless driving, reckless driving, driving while suspended, improper passing, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and failure to wear a seatbelt, Donnelly sad.
The victim was treated for his injuries by Patrolman Scott Mesmer, the first responding officer, Brick Township Police EMS and MONOC paramedics before being taken to Jersey Shore.
Manuel has since been released from the Ocean County Jail to await trial.
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Dana Manuel photo via Ocean County Corrections Department website
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