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Driving Under the Influence

Police & Fire
Driver High On Meth In Toms River Crash That Injured Four People Sentenced, Prosecutors Say Driver High On Meth In Toms River Crash That Injured Four People Sentenced, Prosecutors Say
Driver High On Meth In Toms River Crash That Injured Four People Sentenced, Prosecutors Say A Jackson Township man will spend up to two decades in prison for driving a stolen pickup while high on methamphetamine in a crash that injured another man and three children, authorities said. Charles Sharkey Jr., 35, was sentenced to 20 years in state prison on Friday, Dec. 20, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was given two 10-year sentences that will run consecutively. Sharkey previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and certain person not to possess a firearm. He was charged in a crash at around 4 p.m. on Thur…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
'You're Good:' NJ State Troopers Often Gave Connected Motorists Free Pass, Comptroller Finds 'You're Good:' NJ State Troopers Often Gave Connected Motorists Free Pass, Comptroller Finds
'You're Good:' NJ State Troopers Often Gave Connected Motorists Free Pass, Comptroller Finds The difference between getting a ticket and getting a warning from a New Jersey State Trooper could be based on who you know, according to a new report from the New Jersey Comptroller's Office. As part of its Police Accountability Project, the comptroller's office reviewed camera footage of 501 stops by state police that did not result in a ticket. In 27% of the stops, motorists presented a courtesy card, claimed to have a friend or relative in law enforcement, or flashed a law enforcement badge and then were let go, the report said. In some cases, the trooper released the motorist immediat…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
DWI Driver Killed South Jersey Man, 72, In Head-On Crash: Police DWI Driver Killed South Jersey Man, 72, In Head-On Crash: Police
DWI Driver Killed South Jersey Man, 72, In Head-On Crash: Police An Egg Harbor Township resident was accused of driving under the influence in a crash that killed a Somers Point man, authorities said. Oriel Dixon, 38, was charged with driving while impaired, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department said in a news release on Tuesday, Dec. 17. According to state police data, the crash happened near the intersection of Blackman Road and Carrann Lane. Dixon was arrested after the crash that killed 72-year-old Joseph Natale on Monday, Dec. 16. Officers responded to the scene between Brookside Drive and Meadow Drive at around 9:03 p.m. Investigator…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Watch Officer Recognized By MADD Expertly Arrest Driver Suspected Of DUI In New Jersey Watch Officer Recognized By MADD Expertly Arrest Driver Suspected Of DUI In New Jersey
Watch Officer Recognized By MADD Expertly Arrest Driver Suspected Of DUI In New Jersey Footage of a New Jersey police officer once recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is going viral as she arrests a motorist suspected of driving under the influence. The 1-hour and 5-minute video shared by Transparency Bodycam shows Red Bank Officer Grace Maggiulli responding to a crash at Maple Avenue near the intersection with E Bergen Boulevard on June 3, 2024. At the scene, one driver explains to Maggiulli he'd been rear-ended while at a red light by a 2023 Chevrolet, which she'd later learn was being operated by New York resident Gustavo Gonzalez, 24, of Monr…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Video Shows Arrest Of DUI Driver Who Rammed Luxury Car Into NJ Utility Pole, Fled Video Shows Arrest Of DUI Driver Who Rammed Luxury Car Into NJ Utility Pole, Fled
Video Shows Arrest Of DUI Driver Who Rammed Luxury Car Into NJ Utility Pole, Fled Newly released bodycam footage shows a July 2024 arrest of a DUI driver with a history of traffic offenses who fled the scene of a crash in Monmouth County. Transparency Bodycam published footage of the crash on July 22, involving a white 2017 Mercedes GLE that had struck a pole on Mitchell Place near Oakes Road in Little Silver. The driver was identified by Little Silver police as 42-year-old Melissa Diller, of Middletown, according to records published by The Mounmouth Journal. The footage from Officer Andrew White's body-worn camera shows him finding the SUV at the scene with airbag dep…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Driver High On Drugs Caused Crashes, Fought Road Worker On Garden State Parkway: Troopers Driver High On Drugs Caused Crashes, Fought Road Worker On Garden State Parkway: Troopers
Driver High On Drugs Caused Crashes, Fought Road Worker On Garden State Parkway: Troopers A Bayville man was accused of driving while high on drugs when he caused several crashes on the Garden State Parkway before assaulting a construction worker, authorities said. Jonathan Ferro, 21, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 28, a state police spokesperson said. Troopers responded to multiple hit-and-run crashes near milepost 101.3 on the northbound side of the parkway in Tinton Falls at around 2:18 p.m. Investigators said Ferro was driving a Dodge pickup in the crashes and ran away from the truck when it became disabled. Ferro also physically assaulted a road worker while…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Man Fell Off Motorcycle Before Minivan Struck Him In Deadly Central Jersey Crash: Prosecutor Man Fell Off Motorcycle Before Minivan Struck Him In Deadly Central Jersey Crash: Prosecutor
Man Fell Off Motorcycle Before Minivan Struck Him In Deadly Central Jersey Crash: Prosecutor Investigators are looking into a crash that killed a motorcycle rider in Howell Township, authorities said. A 28-year-old man from Freehold Township died in the crash on Tuesday, July 9, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, July 11. The wreck happened at the intersection of Fort Plains Road and Jerry’s Lane at around 4:53 p.m. Investigators said the man was riding a Honda GL 1100L motorcycle north on Fort Plains when he tried to go around a curve in the road. The rider fell and slid with his motorcycle across the road into oncom…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
South Jersey Man Sentenced For Driving With Suspended License After Two DUIs, Prosecutors Say South Jersey Man Sentenced For Driving With Suspended License After Two DUIs, Prosecutors Say
South Jersey Man Sentenced For Driving With Suspended License After Two DUIs, Prosecutors Say An Absecon man will spend at least half a year in prison after he was convicted of driving with a suspended license after he had at least two DUIs, authorities said. Thomas Fox III, 60, was sentenced on Thursday, June 28 to 15 months in state prison, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a new release. A jury found him guilty on Tuesday, Apr. 9 of two counts of fourth-degree driving during license suspension for prior DUIs. A Galloway Township police officer pulled over a vehicle driven by Fox on Route 50 on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Fox wasn't able to give the…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors
Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors A Monmouth County woman was indicted after she was accused of driving under the influence of drugs in a crash that killed a young girl, authorities said. Samantha Bonora, 31, of Howell, was indicted by a grand jury, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced in a news release on Friday, Apr. 12. She was charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, and four counts of assault by auto. Howell police responded to a crash on Route 34 near the Colts Neck border at around 4:41 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. Investigators said Bonor…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Man Drove 100+ MPH While High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash: Prosecutors Man Drove 100+ MPH While High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash: Prosecutors
Man Drove 100+ MPH While High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash: Prosecutors A Middlesex County man was accused of driving more than 100 miles per hour while high on marijuana during a crash in Jackson Township, authorities said. Nicholas Obrzut, 21, of Monroe Township, was charged on Wednesday, Apr. 3 with two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of assault by auto. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the charges in a news release on Monday, Apr. 8. Jackson Township police responded to the crash near the intersection of North County Line and Jackson Mills roads at around 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. A 2020 BMW driven by Obrzut …

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Monmouth County Man Arrested For DUI Twice In 17 Hours: East Windsor PD Monmouth County Man Arrested For DUI Twice In 17 Hours: East Windsor PD
Monmouth County Man Arrested For DUI Twice In 17 Hours: East Windsor PD A 40-year-old man from Monmouth County was arrested twice on back-to-back days in Mercer County, authorities said. The first arrest happened in the Aldi's parking lot at 440 Route 130 in East Windsor, police said. Timothy Trifiro of Perrineville was found sleeping behind the wheel with his bumper dislodged at about 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4, police said. He was charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving. The second incident occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at about 10 a.m. Police said that Trifiro was involved in a crash at the intersection of Route 33 and Lake Drive …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Pennsylvania Man Charged In Fatal South Jersey DUI Crash: Report Pennsylvania Man Charged In Fatal South Jersey DUI Crash: Report
Pennsylvania Man Charged In Fatal South Jersey DUI Crash: Report A 22-year-old Pennsylvania man has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal crash in Gloucester County, NJ Advance Media reports. Connor P. Ruggieri, of Newtown Square, PA, was allegedly driving under the influence when he was involved in a June 6 crash on Route 322 in Woolwich Township, according to a criminal complaint cited by the outlet. Authorities are alleging the crash was marijuana-related, the report says, quoting a defense attorney who vowed to fight the charge. Constance Boylan, 77, of Berwyn, Pennsylvania, was killed after being struck by Ruggieri's …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor
Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor A DUI driver who struck a tree near a Somerset county golf course last month was busted with heroin, authorities said. Christian Graverson, 44, was behind the wheel of an SUV when he struck a tree South Branch Road near the Neshanic Valley Golf Course. in Branchburg around 5:50 p.m. March 31,  Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. The 44-year-old Hillsborough man was not injured, Taggart said. Further investigation found that Graverson was under the influence of drugs, and was subsequently placed under arrest, police said. He was in possession of heroi…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
South Jersey Man In Disabled Pickup Truck Killed By Drunk Driver: NJSP South Jersey Man In Disabled Pickup Truck Killed By Drunk Driver: NJSP
South Jersey Man In Disabled Pickup Truck Killed By Drunk Driver: Njsp A Gloucester County man whose pickup truck became disabled was struck and killed by a drunk driver, authorities said. Marco Trunk, 59, of Deptford was killed in the crash shortly before midnight Tuesday along Route 42 in Camden County, State Police said. State Police responded to the crash at 11:53 p.m. on Roiute 42 northbound at milepost 9 in Gloucester Township, according to Trooper Bradi Slota. Trunk and a passenger had gotten out of his Chevrolet pickup due to a mechanical problem, Slota said.  A woman from Camden County allegedly was driving drunk in a Mitsubishi Mirage when she…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
DWI Driver Indicted In Crash That Killed Vineland Student Riding Bike: Report DWI Driver Indicted In Crash That Killed Vineland Student Riding Bike: Report
DWI Driver Indicted In Crash That Killed Vineland Student Riding Bike: Report A 54-year-old man from Vineland has been indicted in a crash that killed a high school senior last April. Philip Cox, 54, was believed to have been under the influence when he struck 18-year-old Daniel "Danny" Diaz around 8:40 p.m. on April 29, Breaking AC reported. Cox was driving west on West Park Avenue when he struck Diaz, who was riding in the same direction in the same lane, according to police. Diaz was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cumberland County Grand Jury indicted Cox on one count of vehicular homicide. Cox previously was charged with death by auto, driving while into…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Police: Drunken, Swerving NJ Trailer Operator Tells PA Officers His Driving Is 'On Point' Police: Drunken, Swerving NJ Trailer Operator Tells PA Officers His Driving Is 'On Point'
Police: Drunken, Swerving NJ Trailer Operator Tells PA Officers His Driving Is 'On Point' A tractor trailer driver weaving in and out of oncoming traffic told police officers in Bucks County, PA that his driving was "on point" before he was charged with drunk driving, authorities said. Upper Makefield officers were dispatched to reports of a tractor trailer driver weaving in and out of oncoming traffic while headed northbound on River Road in the Washington Crossing area April 5 at 6 p.m., police said. Police spotted a man later identified as Victor Noel Cruz, 34, of Mount Holly, who was towing a forklift on River Road, but stopped him near Lurgan Road, authoritie…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Toms River Driver Who Caused Chain Reaction Crash With State Trooper, School Bus Cited For DUI Toms River Driver Who Caused Chain Reaction Crash With State Trooper, School Bus Cited For DUI
Toms River Driver Who Caused Chain Reaction Crash With State Trooper, School Bus Cited For DUI A 36-year-old Jersey Shore woman was cited for driving under the influence after a chain reaction collision that involved a state police SUV and school bus, authorities said. The crash occurred about 8 a.m. on Monday. One driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, and there were no students on the school bus, according to Toms River police. Police said that Heather Scoville of Toms River was traveling east on Whitesville Road in the left lane.  As Scoville was negotiating a curve in the roadway, she failed to keep right and entered the westbound traffic lane where she sides…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Paterson PD: Driver Who Ran Stop Sign Had Loaded Gun In Waistband Paterson PD: Driver Who Ran Stop Sign Had Loaded Gun In Waistband
Paterson PD: Driver Who Ran Stop Sign Had Loaded Gun In Waistband A driver stopped by Paterson police detectives for running a stop sign had a loaded handgun tucked into his waistband, authorities said. Detectives Mustafa Dombayci and Joseph Aboyoun smelled burnt marijuana coming from a Toyota Camry with Massachusetts license plates that they'd stopped on Hamilton Avenue, Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said Sunday. Backup Detective James Jenkins spotted the gun and alerted his colleagues, who seized the driver, Craig Tomlinson, 25, of Paterson, Speziale said. He was carrying a loaded .40-caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol, the director said. Pol…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Authorities: South Jersey Woman Was Driving Over 100 MPH In Fatal Head-On Crash Authorities: South Jersey Woman Was Driving Over 100 MPH In Fatal Head-On Crash
Authorities: South Jersey Woman Was Driving Over 100 MPH In Fatal Head-On Crash A 24-year-old Pleasantville driver who was going more than 100 miles per hour in a school zone when she struck another car head-on killing the driver in 2018 has been arrested, authorities said. Kaitlyn Hayes was arrested on June 10 and charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide in a school zone, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said Thursday. “We cannot emphasize enough the importance of refraining from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Very simply, if you drive while impaired, it is more likely that someone will be injured or killed. The risk…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Mom Accused Of Beating Her Kids In West Milford Backyard Charged With Driving Drunk With Them Mom Accused Of Beating Her Kids In West Milford Backyard Charged With Driving Drunk With Them
Mom Accused Of Beating Her Kids In West Milford Backyard Charged With Driving Drunk With Them West Milford police who responded to a report of a mom beating her children said they found a woman who’d been driving drunk with two youngsters in her SUV. Dayanna Fitzpatrick, a 39-year-old registered nurse from Auburn, Alabama, was “disheveled and acting erratically” when police found her and the children – 11 and 15 years old – in the rear of a Clinton Road home, according to a police report. Fitzpatrick’s 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe was parked in the driveway and the homeowner was yelling that she was beating her children, Officer Robert Kulawiak said in his report. Kulawiak, who was assist…

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by Jerry DeMarco