Lodi Police: DWI Driver Leaves Car That Smashed Into Utility Pole

LODI, N.J. -- A New Milford man was drunk when he crashed his car into a utility pole in Lodi and left it there, police said Friday.

Jonathon Ruts
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Lodi PD*

Jerry DeMarco

04/15/2016 3:04 p.m.

Officers Keith Watts, Javier Hernandez and Andrew Mikhail found the car smoking, with heavy front-end damage and its airbag deployed -- along with "traces of possible injuries" -- following the Arnot Street crash just after 4 a.m. Thursday, Lt. Robert Salerno said.

A witness gave the officers a description of 28-year-old Jonathon P. Ruts, whom Salerno said they found at a friend's house nearby.

He smelled of alcohol and was arrested, the lieutenant said.

Police released him to a responsible adult after giving Ruts summonses for DWI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash, failing to report a crash, failing to provide necessary documents and obstructing traffic by abandoning a vehicle.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Garfield-Lodi and receive free news updates.