The Carteret police director was in office for around three weeks following his election before he was involved in a single-vehicle accident at the end of February. In the wake of the crash, he’s been given charges for driving under the influence.
In addition to the DWI charges, the director has been suspended from his position. He will not be paid during the suspension.
According to reports, the man was behind the wheel of a 2015 Lexus, driving it down Route 9. When he came close to Ferry Road, the vehicle left the road and ended up in the ditch. This happened right around 6:30 p.m., on a Tuesday.
The captain of the Old Bridge Police Department said they still don’t know exactly why the car left the road to begin with, but that the accident did cause the tires to blow out and damaged the car’s front end.
When officers responded to the crash, they said that they could smell alcohol on the man’s breath. They also said that he simply looked like he was intoxicated. They brought him to the Old Bridge police station, and he apparently refused a breath test. He was charged for that, for improper passing, for reckless driving and for obstructing traffic.
The Carteret borough attorney did note in an email message that it was obvious the man had not been at work or on the clock when the accident happened, and he also mentioned that the Lexus was his personal car.
Those who are facing DWI charges or charges for refusing a breath test in New Jersey need to know all of their legal defense options, as this case shows how the charges can have an instant impact, in some cases, on employment.
Source: NJ.com, “Carteret police director charged with DWI after crash,” Brian Amaral, NJ Advance Media, Feb. 25, 2016
