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Jason Caulfield was behind the wheel of a 2010 BMW 135 that careened off Colonial Road in Franklin Lakes, hit the pole and overturned just before 2:30 a.m., Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.
Police who responded to the crash just north of Route 208 believe that Caulfield was intoxicated at the time, the prosecutor added. A blood sample was later taken and sent to a lab to be analyzed, he said.
Both Caulfield and his passenger, 21-year-old Donald Fletcher of Wyckoff, were taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson.
Although Fletcher’s injuries don’t appear life-threatening, Molinelli said, they’re serious.
Franklin Township police and Molinelli’s Fatal Accident Investigation Unit investigated the crash, which began when Caulfield’s BMW crossed the double-yellow center lines and barreled off the road into a grassy area next to the oncoming lane.
It then struck a wooden utility pole, which split at its base, and vaulted a fire hydrant — flipping the vehicle, which landed on its roof, Molinelli said.
Although authorities charged Caulfield with aggravated assault, additional summonses of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving could be added before his scheduled Municipal Court hearing on Monday.
It’s expected he’ll be out of the hospital by then, Molinelli said.
Caulfield, meanwhile, remained under police guard on $25,000 bail.
PHOTO: Courtesy BCPO
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