Drinking while on the job is never a good idea. This is especially true if you are a New Jersey State police officer working a traffic detail. But that is exactly what happened last week, when a police sergeant who was drinking in his vehicle rear-ended another vehicle at a Wall Township rest stop.
As initially reported by NBC New York, the car accident took place near a construction site along the Garden State Parkway, where the officer in question was assigned to traffic security. The officer, a 28-year veteran of the force, ran into the back end of a White Audi parked at the Monmouth Rest Stop. Investigators discovered the officer in question had a blood alcohol level of 0.16 – two times the legal limit in New Jersey. It was discovered the officer had been drinking in his car at the time of the accident.
The 51-year old officer was charged with DWI, careless driving, and having an open alcohol container in his vehicle. The officer was suspended without pay and stripped of his service weapon.
Unfortunately, this kind of behavior is part of a larger pattern of recklessness. In this particular officer’s case he had run into trouble in the past as teenager, having several citations and tickets on his driving record. Needless to say, when such negligent drives continue to operate with impunity it puts the entire driving community at danger.
If you, or a loved one, have been impacted by a DWI accident or similar incident, contact the attorneys at Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari to discuss your legal options. We can help.
You can reach us at 973-845-4421.