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An investigation by Patrolman Jason Zier of the North Brunswick Police Department and Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that on Aug. 8, 2020, at approximately 8:50 pm Christopher L. Mertens of Monmouth Junction was driving while intoxicated, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and North Brunswick Police Chief Joseph Battaglia.
The investigation found that Mertens, accompanied by his two young children, was traveling southbound on Route 1 at a high speed when he rear-ended a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer causing it to roll over and catch on fire.
The 19-year-old driver of the Blazer sustained burn injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The sole passenger of the Blazer, a 21-year-old woman, along with Mertens’ children were also transported from the scene for medical treatment.
Mertens was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, assault by auto, endangering another person by knowingly engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death, three counts of assault by auto and obstruction, Ciccone and Battaglia said.
On Wednesday, after sentencing arguments from Assistant Prosecutor Keith Abrams and Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Poggi, Superior Court Judge Craig Corson sentenced Mertens to 11 years in state prison, Ciccone said.
Mertens must serve 85% of his sentence, approximately nine-and-a- half years, before he is eligible for parole.
Upon his release, Mertens will be subject to an eight-year loss of license.
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