Several injured in drug related New Jersey car accidents
We have covered several serious New Jersey car accidents involving drunk drivers in previous posts. Although drunk drivers cause an inordinate amount of local traffic accidents, drivers who are under the influence of drugs are equally as dangerous and are responsible for many personal injuries every year.
Two recent drug related car accidents have shocked motorists throughout New Jersey. The first accident occurred last week in Hudson County. Authorities say that a Union City man caused a three-car pileup in West New York and admitted to authorities that he had shot himself up with heroin an hour before the crash. Responding police officers found a hypodermic needle on the man’s passenger seat after the crash and arrested the man after his confession. The two other drivers involved in the crash were treated for minor injuries and it is unclear if they plan to file personal injury lawsuits.
A more serious crash happened on Sunday when a man presumably high on methadone hit a parked cop car, killing a veteran Mount Arlington police officer. Authorities say that the man had an empty methadone bottle in his car. He was arrested after the crash and charged with driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. The 38-year-old officer was well known and liked in the community and is survived by his wife.
“He was great fun, a big guy, loud,” a friend of the deceased officer said. “He had a great sense of humor. He made everybody laugh. He was a great ball of fun. He’s a leader. He’s a great friend. He’ll be missed – he is already.”
Source: The Jersey Journal, “Union City man involved in crash admits to doing heroin and driving with suspended license: cops,” John Heinis, Oct. 18, 2011; The Star-Ledger, “Mount Arlington police officer killed in DWI crash, Howell man charged,” Dan Goldberg, Oct. 19, 2011
