Pine Brook NJ Drunk Driving ChargesA Pine Brook NJ man was arrested after Port Authority police allegedly found him drunk and asleep while behind the wheel of an SUV.

The incident reportedly took place on New Year’s Day. A Port Authority police officer saw the suspect’s 2004 Ford Explorer parked on Erie Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. The vehicle was actually just a few blocks away from the Jersey City Police Department’s East Precinct.

When the responding officer investigated further, he discovered that the vehicle was running and in drive. The only reason the suspect managed to avoid crashing the SUV is that he kept his foot planted on the vehicle’s brake pedal while he slept.

The officer gained access to the SUV and was able to move the car’s gear shifter into park. The officer then woke up the suspect and ordered him to get out of the vehicle.

The officer observed the suspect and believed him to be under the influence of alcohol. According to police, the suspect’s speech was slurred.

When the officer asked the suspect to take a blood test, the suspect refused. Additionally, the suspect allegedly failed a field sobriety test administered by police.

Police also allegedly discovered an empty bottle of wine in the suspect’s SUV.

The suspect was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), reckless driving, and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

 

For more information about this case, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Man Asleep Behind the Wheel of Running SUV in Jersey City, Charged with DWI: P.A. Police.”