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The BMW driver, identified as 27-year-old Ivan Samano of Teaneck, had no license, registration or insurance, as well as no front license plate on the car, police said. The children weren't in restraints, either, they said.
Samano was following the other car home when the BMW hit the tree in the 100 block of Madison Avenue, near New Milford High School, shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday, police said.
Police found the car empty and the air bags deployed, Detective Kevin Van Saders said.
They located the second car in a parking lot a few hundred feet away, he said.
Two adults and three children were in the crashed vehicle, Van Saders said. Two other adults were in the second car, he said.
All four adults "gave officers false and misleading information related to the crash," the detective said.
The children -- ages 6 years, 3 years, and 2 months -- were taken to Holy Name Medical Center, where they were treated for minor injuries before being released, he said.
Samano was charged with a host of offenses that included obstruction, DWI and reckless driving, as well as not having the proper documents and coverage -- and with failing to wear a seat belt, use child restraints and or maintain a lane.
The second driver, Javier Ponce, 36, of Paterson, was charted with most of the same offenses.
Also charged with obstruction were front-seat passengers in each car: Lizbeth Torres, 24, of Teaneck, and Iridian Torres, 21, of Paterson.
All received April 6 court dates.
Workers with the Department of Child Protection and Permanency were contacted, Van Saders said.
He also thanked the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and police from Dumont and Oradell for their assistance.
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