New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog

A New Jersey driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after the vehicle in which he and another man were traveling crashed on Route 47 early on a Sunday morning. According to news reports, the accident occurred in Middle Township when 21-year-old Ryan Simcox of the township's Rio Grande area apparently lost control of the vehicle.

As a result of the accident, Simcox's passenger was thrown from the car. Based on police reports, 25-year-old Steven Adams was ejected from the vehicle when it crashed just before 3am near the Sonic restaurant at the Grande Center. The Whitesboro resident was thrown to the pavement and reportedly received serious injuries.

As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer and former municipal prosecutor, I understand the complications that such an accident can cause to a DWI defense case. In this case, an eye witness told police that the driver was speeding through a parking lot, allegedly accelerating as he ignored several stop signs prior to losing control and driving through a safety fence and then into a ditch. The witness was reportedly a night watchman for a nearby Lowe's store.

Adams was treated by emergency personnel and the airlifted by SouthStar medical helicopter to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City. He was reportedly listed in fair condition later that day. According to police, Adams was not wearing his seat belt.

Simcox, who was not hurt in the crash, was arrested by police and charged with driving while intoxicated and assault by auto. He was placed in custody on $10,000 cash bail at the Cape May County Jail in Cape May Court House. A third occupant, the 21-year-old Elijah Adams, was uninjured in the accident and reportedly fled the scene before officers arrived. He was later found and taken into custody by police; he later posted bail.

Police said that both Simcox and Elijah Adams were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

Driver charged with DWI in Middle Township crash that caused passenger to be ejected, PressofAtlanticCity.com, August 8, 2010

LyndhurstA 56-year-old out-of-state woman was arrested and charged with DWI after she apparently left the scene of a minor accident. According to police reports, officers were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on a late Monday afternoon, from which one of the drivers had subsequently left. At nearly the same time, police received reports of an allegedly intoxicated person in a Quality Inn parking lot across the street from the accident. The woman was taken into custody and eventually released on summonses.

East Rutherford
A 21-year-old Weehawken, NJ, female resident was stopped by police after officers observed the driver make a U-turn along New Jersey's Route 120 and in the process hit the center divider of the highway. After pulling over the suspect's car police determined that the woman was apparently intoxicated. Officers noticed a plastic bag in the vehicle, which the driver eventually identified as containing marijuana. She also admitted to police that she had planned to sell the controlled dangerous substance (CDS). The woman was arrested and charged with multiple violations including possession of CDS under 50 grams and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

A Hasbrouck Heights man was arrested for drunk driving after several people called police to report a vehicle hitting a light pole around 7am. The 54-year-old driver was located by officers not far from the accident scene in a vehicle matching the description provided by the witnesses. Officers asked the driver to perform several field sobriety tests, which he allegedly could not complete successfully. He was given a breathalyzer test that returned a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18, according to police.

A Passaic, NJ, man was arrested in the early morning hours on a Sunday after officers reportedly observed him peel out from a stop sign on Carlton and Paterson avenues, then accelerate quickly. The man was pulled over and allegedly could not successfully complete the field sobriety test, and his blood alcohol levelwas 0.18, according to police. He was subsequently released to a responsible party.

A local man was arrested on a Tuesday and charged with possession of CDS in a motor vehicle. The arrest followed a traffic stop after officers noticed a vehicle being driven erratically. As the man exited his vehicle, a paper towel tube allegedly containing crack cocaine fell out of the vehicle. Officers took the driver into custody charging him with possession of crack cocaine, careless driving, being an unlicensed driver, failure to exhibit a driver's license and possession of CDS. He was issued summonses and released.

BLOTTER: 07/22/10 issue, LeaderNewspapers.net, July 22, 2010

Something that seems to go hand in hand with intoxicated driving are traffic accidents. As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I and my associates know that moving violations and property damage usually don't help when it comes to defending an individual against a drunk driving charge. The bottom line is, few if any police officers, prosecutors or judges will look kindly on a motorist who not only allegedly drove under the influence of alcohol, but may have caused an accident or injuries while doing so.

And don't think that injuring yourself will gain you any sympathy in traffic court. The authorities maintain a dim view of anyone who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while impaired due to alcohol, prescription drug or illegal drug (CDS) use. When in doubt, save yourself the headaches and call a cab, a good friend or a family member to drive you home.

A recent news article shows what can happen to a driver who may have had a bit too much to drink. According to reports, a Lower Township resident was charged with driving while intoxicated and then causing a traffic accident out in Middle Township.

The incident occurred on an early Friday evening as Felipe Nieves was traveling eastbound along Route 47 near Fulling Mill Road. Just before 7pm, the 41-year-old's Saturn reportedly crossed into the opposing lane and crashed head-on into a pickup truck driven by John Marsden of Middle Township. Nieves' car went into a nearby ditch, while Marsden's truck went into a nearby yard.

Rescue crews arriving on the scene had to extract Nieves from his car. He was then treated and transported via helicopter to the Regional Trauma Unit at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City. Nieves suffered serious head, neck and internal injuries as a result of the crash, according to the news. Fortunately, the driver of the pickup was reportedly uninjured.

Police apparently charged Nieves with driving while intoxicated. The accident reportedly shut down Route 47 for close to an hour as emergency crews cleared the scene.

Lower Township man accused of DWI and causing accident in Middle Township, PressofAtlanticCity.com, July 10, 2010

As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I'll be the first to tell someone that mixing alcohol and motorcycle riding is a recipe for disaster. But sadly, drinking and driving even for seasoned bikers is not uncommon. When someone makes a mistake and takes to the road after having a drink or two, the result can be a DWI arrest at the hands of one of New Jersey's local, state or municipal law enforcement officers.

A news article not long ago told the story of a dual motorcycle crash that allegedly involved drunken driving. According to reports, three out-of-state riders met in a violent way on Route 78 near Bedminster, NJ, in late June. Police reports indicate that two motorcycles crashed in the early hours on a Sunday morning in northern New Jersey.

The crash, which the New Jersey State Police logged as a DWI-related claimed the life of a woman and left her companion critically injured. The other lone rider was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Based on police reports, 56-year-old Paul Shelly and 45-year-old Nicole Widener were riding on Shelly's bike when it was struck apparently from behind by the second motorcycle driven by Maurice Smith, 36, of Patchogue, NY. Police said that Shelly was riding along the highway's center lane when Smith apparently attempted to pass them at what police describe as a "high rate of speed." According to the news, Smith's bike contacted with the rear wheel of Shelly's motorcycle causing the couple's vehicle to go out of control.

Widener was thrown into the roadway, where she was subsequently run over and killed by a car that then left the scene. Shelly ended up on the side of the road and was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in condition with leg and other injuries. Smith sustained several cuts and bruises and was treated at the hospital before being taken into custody.

Pa. woman dead in N.J. 2-motorcycle crash; one injured; one charged with DUI, PoconoRecord.com, June 20, 2010

A potentially fatal car crash involving alcohol turned out well, at least in part, for a young woman from Gloucester County, New Jersey, in late June. According to news reports, the accident happened at the end of Shellbay Avenue in Cape May Court House, NJ. Police and emergency crews were called to the scene of a car which had driven off a pier and into the bay in Middle Township.

As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I've heard more than my fair share of tragic auto accident stories arising from driving while intoxicated. In this particular case, the 21-year-old driver will have to face the court over DWI-related charges, but at least she's alive to talk about it.

Apparently police had received a 911 call just after 2pm on a Monday afternoon reporting that a car had gone over a bulkhead and was stuck front-end-down partially in the water, being held only by the safety railing at Carol Nicoletta Memorial Park. The driver, Jenna Davidson of Swedesboro, NJ, had been traveling east in her Toyota Camry Solara along on Shellbay Avenue when she failed to stop the vehicle as it entered the parking area.

The momentum of the vehicle took it over a concrete parking barrier as it continued eastbound through the park. It reportedly ran through the deck railing of a fishing pier at the far end of the park, plunging off the bulkhead and landing nose down in the bay. A tow truck called to the scene was able to secure the woman's vehicle while emergency rescuers jumped into the water to remove Davidson from the car.

The woman was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center for evaluation but was not admitted. According to police reports, Davidson was not only charged with careless driving and driving an uninsured vehicle, but also driving while intoxicated.

Driver charged with DWI after car plunges into the bay in Middle Township, PressofAtlanticCity.com, June 22, 2010

How can I make the most of a bad situation? This is would seem to be a typical question foremost in the mind of a person being pulled over for driving under the influence of alcohol. Certainly there are things a person can do to soften the blow of a DWI arrest, but running from the cops isn't one of them. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, my aim is to help drivers who have been accused of DWI and drug DUI -- reckless driving and evading a police officer are not going to help one's case.

This type of drunken driving arrest played out in Jersey City not long ago when an apparently inebriated driver was observed operating his automobile in a dangerous manner. According to reports, law enforcement officers in an unmarked vehicle saw a gold Mazda Millenia being driven recklessly along Martin Luther King Drive. Giving chase with their emergency lights activated they pursued the suspect vehicle, which proceeded to drive through a stop sign at Bostwick and Ocean avenues without stopping.

Apparently exceeding posted speed limits, the chase continued down Ocean Avenue, as officers saw the car cross a double yellow in order to swerve around traffic stopped for a red light at Bidwell Avenue. The driver reportedly ran two additional red lights before turning off Ocean.

The chase essentially ended when the driver lost control of the car on Van Cleef Street and smashed into a Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle parked along the curbside. The driver, 28-year-old Brandon W. James, apparently resisted officers' attempts to take him into custody, during which they reported smelling the strong odor of alcohol on the man. A search of the vehicle, which allegedly was not registered to James, turned up a partially consumed bottle of brandy.

The driver was arrested and charged with drunk driving, eluding a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. He was taken to Jersey City Medical Center for a blood-alcohol content (BAC) blood test, according to police reports.

Jersey City cops say high-speed chase of gold Mazda ends with crash into SUV and driver facing DWI charges, NJ.com, Saturday, May 15, 2010

An apparently drunken out-of-state driver was taken into custody by Hoboken police after an early morning car-pedestrian traffic accident that resulted in the serious injury of a local man, according to news reports. Police said that the accident occurred around 1am on a Thursday morning right in front of Hoboken City Hall.

As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I'm well aware of the complications that an injury accident can add to a drunken driving case. Fortunately for the driver, 38-year-old Pamela Currie, the injured man was not killed as a result; a fatal accident involving driving under the influence of alcohol can be quite serious and may lead to extensive jail time depending on the circumstances.

According to the news, Currie was driving a red Nissan Xterra southbound on Washington Street prior to the collision. Police reports also indicate that a male passenger was traveling in the vehicle as well. Based on reports, if it is determined that the passenger was sober at the time of the crash then that individual could be hit with a fine for allowing an intoxicated person to operate a motor vehicle.

Police stated that the driver appeared to be drunk as she stepped out of the car to take a field sobriety test. According to reports, one witness said that the pedestrian was thrown approximately seven feet before hitting the pavement on his left side. One of the man's shoes was found about 15 feet from where he landed. Police reportedly said that skid marks measured at the scene indicated that the driver was likely speeding at the time of the accident.

The injured pedestrian was taken by ambulance to a local Hoboken hospital. Currie's vehicle was towed away to a municipal garage. At the time of the report, investigators were still looking into the crash, however Currie was reportedly charged with aggravated assault by auto and refusal to submit to chemical blood-alcohol (BAC) test.

Update: Pedestrian Struck; Driver Arrested For DWI, HobokenPatch.com, June 3, 2010

Marijuana and Drug Possession in a Vehicle
While not an instance of drug DUI, an Elizabeth, NJ, man was arrested on a Sunday evening after being stopped for driving with an obstructed view Law enforcement officers will usually use a common traffic infraction, such as incorrect lane change or inoperative brake light, to initiate a traffic stop that might result in a further drunken driving or prescription drug DUI arrest. In this particular case, the officer charged the driver with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia including a hypodermic needle, and possession of suspected Oxycodone. The man was also served with summons for operating a motor vehicle with an obstructed view, driving under a suspended driver's license, not to mention possession of a controlled and dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle.

Drunken Driving Arrest following Accident
A Plainfield resident was stopped in the early morning hours following the reports of an accident at South and Hollywood avenues just before 3am. Police officers found a 23-year-old driver at the scene and apparently detected the smell of alcohol on the motorist's breath. The driver was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and careless driving.

CDS Possession in a Vehicle
A Newark driver, whose vehicle apparently looked very suspicious, was pulled over by a Cranford police officer on the grounds that the vehicle had illegally tinted car windows. During the traffic stop the officer noticed evidence of marijuana and smoking paraphernalia inside the 25-year-old's vehicle. The driver was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana in a vehicle, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.

In a similar incident, an 18-year-old Hillside driver, who had a juvenile passenger riding with him, was stopped around 11:30pm on a Thursday night on Cranford's North Avenue near Carpenter Place. Both the driver and his younger passenger were charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

CDS Drug Possession in a Vehicle
A Warren, NJ, resident was stopped for not having properly functioning rear brake lights on a Monday afternoon at the intersection of Raritan Road and Centennial Avenue. The routine traffic stop soon led to drug arrest when the officer noticed evidence of drug paraphernalia in the 44-year-old's vehicle. The man was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In another case of CDS possession in a vehicle, a man from Jersey City man was stopped by a traffic patrol officer for having illegally tinted windows during the early morning hours on a Saturday. According to police reports, the 34-year-old driver was stopped just after 2am Centennial Avenue. Noticing that the driver was apparently intoxicated, the officer also apparently saw some drug paraphernalia during the drunk driving arrest. The driver was charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, not to mention driving under the influence of alcohol. Police also charged him with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle.

Cranford police make narcotics, DWI arrests, NJ.com, April 15, 2010

When it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol on New Jersey's public roads, "tolerance" is by no means a word found in the vocabulary of the state's law enforcement community. Similarly the state has no patience for drinking and piloting a boat along the Garden State's coastline, its lakes or rivers and estuaries. DWI on the high seas, so to speak is just as serious an offense as here on land.

What's surprising is that boat owners don't always consider that the same standards which govern drinking and driving on public roads also apply to the operation of watercraft. Boaters must observe the same drunken driving laws as car, motorcycle and truck owners. Because of this, individuals who violate the DWI laws while boating are also subject to arrest for driving while intoxicated. And also included with this are those related offenses, such as prescription drug DUI and breath test refusal when the operator of a boat has a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) in excess of 0.08 percent.

New Jersey's statutes governing operation of a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are nearly identical to those that pertain to DWI with a motor vehicle. The penalties are also closely related. The implied consent laws that oblige a licensed driver to submit to a breath or blood test following a drunk driving stop also applies to the operator of a watercraft in New Jersey.

On the flip side, because the statutes are nearly identical between motor vehicle and boat operators, the approach to DWI defense is also quite similar. This fact means that a qualified and experienced drunk driving attorney can usually handle boating-related DWI cases with similar results -- certainly something to consider with the Fourth of July holiday just around the corner and summer coming into full swing.

A recent New Jersey appellate court ruling has opened the door to lawsuits from obviously intoxicated customers who purchase liquor prior to being involved in a DWI-related injury accident. The ruling essentially states that liquor establishments, such as beer and wine shops, are not protected under the same New Jersey statutes that prevent third parties from being sued by drivers found to be at fault in a car accident as a result of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The court explained its decision stating that drivers who endanger public safety by driving while intoxicated should be penalized by being stripped of their right to suing third parties, however those owners of stores licensed for the sale of alcohol have a legal obligation to avoid serving drunken customers and then allowing them to go forth and travel New Jersey roadways (Voss v. Tranquilino, No. A-5431-08T1).

It was suggested that the state legislature was likely wrong to have imagined that the instances of drunk driving on Garden State roads would have been reduced by essentially "immunizing" beer-, wine- and liquor-sales establishments from lawsuits filed by drivers arrested for DWI-related traffic offenses.

This recent ruling affirmed the right of Frederick Voss, a cyclist injured in an accident in Toms River back in 2006, to pursue this claim against Tiffany's Restaurant, which had served him while drunk thus contributing to the accident. Voss reportedly pleaded guilty to DWI as a result of that accident.

Tiffany's argued it was immune from suit and sought summary judgment. Ocean County Superior Court Judge John Peterson denied the motion and the appeals court affirmed.

The 1997 anti-drunken driving amendments to motor vehicle insurance law, at N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.5(b), say a driver convicted of DWI in connection with an accident "shall have no cause of action for his or her injuries."

But this does not trump the Dram Shop Act, adopted 10 years prior, which protects the rights of people who suffer loss as a result of the negligent service of alcoholic beverages by licensed servers, the court explained. An interesting point here is that while typical suits against dram shops are usually brought by the victim of a drunk driver, the Dram Shop Law itself does not make a distinction between the victim or perpetrator of the accident.

The Voss decision is reportedly the first by a state appeals court to specifically deprive licensed premises of immunity in such cases. Regardless, the attorney for Tiffany's said that his client may appeal to the Supreme Court.

Drunken Drivers May Sue Dram Shops That Served Them Prior to Accidents, Law.com, April 30, 2010

Having worked for many years as a municipal prosecutor I gained a healthy respect for the people serving in law enforcement. Now as a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I defend motorists accused of driving while intoxicated, arrested by some of those very same officers. While I admire the dedication of our police and their commitment to public safety, it gives me pause when I read about patrolmen and other individuals associated with law enforcement who flaunt the very laws they are sworn to uphold.

Being accused of drunken driving is nothing to be taken lightly, especially when fines and jail time are fairly heavy and the social stigma of being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol can very often ruin reputations and business careers. The police, like other persons of authority, have a duty to be exemplary role models to the rest of society.

A recent news article reminds all of us that police officers do not always practice what they preach, and sometimes cause great harm when ignoring the law themselves. Based on reports, forty-year-old Ruth Zelaya died on March 24 as a result of "complications from a 2007 car crash that killed her 2-year-old son and left her in a comatose state until her recent passing.

According to court reports, the three-year-old accident was caused by Kevin Freibott, a Middletown resident and Jersey City police officer. The former cop plead guilty in December 2007 to vehicular homicide, assault by auto and drunk driving. The ex-patrolman, now 40 years old, is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence and is not expected to face additional charges as a result of Zelaya's death due to the terms of his plea agreement.

The accident occurred in January 2007 on a stretch of the Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City following a Freibott's reportedly five-and-a-half-hour "drinking marathon." According to police records, the man's blood-alcohol content (BAC) was 0.242 percent -- better than three times the legal limit in New Jersey.

An FBI agent who saw Freibott's Jeep Cherokee shortly before the crash told authorities that it "blew by him like he was standing still," Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Peter Stoma told Superior Court Judge Peter J. Vazquez.

News articles state that Freibott was fired from the Middletown police department in 2001 following a minor accident outside a tavern, however he was reinstated one year later. In 2005, he transferred over to the police department in Jersey City.

Other reports show that Freibott had a history of driving offenses dating back to 1986. According to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission records, the man had six traffic violations between 1988 and 2001, including two for speeding and one other for driving under the influence of alcohol.

SECOND VICTIM OF DRUNK COP DIES, RedBankGreen.com, April 27, 2010

Following a potentially deadly early-morning single-vehicle accident in Chatham Township, a Morristown man was arrested and charged with drunken driving. This kind of accident and subsequent DWI arrest is not uncommon, though in this case the man was perhaps lucky that he made it out alive. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense attorney, my main concern is to see that motorists get a fair shake in court.

The apparent drunk driving incident in question occurred around 1:30am in mid April, according to news accounts. Police had responded to a report of an overturned vehicle laying in the brook on Loantka Way in Chatham. Based on police investigation following the accident, the 37-year-old driver allegedly hit a utility pole with his car and then rolled into the nearby brook.

Shawn Beckler of Morristown had reportedly been traveling along Loantaka Way from Shunpike Road toward Spring Valley Road when he apparently failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. Traveling straight, Beckler's vehicle struck a utility pole before hitting a fence and a stand of trees, then overturning and ending on its hood in the brook.

Officers arriving on the scene observed fallen electrical wires at the initial impact site. Following the damage to the brook, Officers Patrick Meade and Christopher Slayton located the car with the suspect still inside. According to police reports, Beckler was partially trapped underneath the vehicle.

Emergency crews from the Green Village Fire Department worked extricate the man, who was then taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital by the Chatham Emergency Squad for non-life threatening injuries. Based on news reports, Beckler was charged with DWI, reckless driving and failure to keep right.

Morristown man is charged with drunken driving after his car lands in a Chatham Township brook, NJ.com, April 15, 2010

The outcome of charges arising from a drunken driving arrest, like many offenses tried in court, can be influenced by numerous factors. These can include the police officer's initial evidence of intoxication, the breathalyzer or blood test results, circumstances surrounding the arrest and whether or not law enforcement personnel followed proper procedures when gathering or handling any evidence related to the DWI case.

When it comes to circumstances, it's critical to remember that how a motorist conducts himself can influence how the police react and how the court views the defendant in the courtroom. For many people, being drunk or even slightly tipsy can bring out hidden personality traits, so there is no telling sometimes how a motorist will act when pulled over for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or marijuana, cocaine or other dangerous controlled substance (CDS).

While there is no guarantee that acting the part of a model citizen during a DWI or drug DUI traffic stop will gain you any points for style if and when your case goes to trial, it can't hurt either. Sometimes, accepting your circumstances is the best path, especially when dealing with a law enforcement officer.

A news article illustrated what can happen when a drunk driving suspect decides not to cooperate with the police. According to the reports, 54-year-old Gerard Stickroth was observed by police allegedly driving erratically on Flocktown Road in Washington Township.

When officers approached the vehicle, the Long Valley resident was attempting to exit his vehicle, which apparently got stuck in a snow bank during the traffic stop. Officers also detected the odor of alcohol on the man's breath. According to the police report, Stickroth stepped outside the vehicle and fell backward into the snow.

At that point, the officers tried to handcuff the suspect, but he physically resisted their attempts. A brief struggle ensued between the motorist and the cops, during which the man was forced to the ground and finally handcuffed.

Police transported the driver to Hackettstown Regional Medical Center for injuries he sustained as a result of the fall and because of his high level of intoxication. Police eventually charged him with driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.

Long Valley man arrested on DWI charges after scuffle with police, NJ.com, March 2, 2010

While there are a variety of drunken driving charges, those involving vehicle accidents are more serious than simply being pulled over for a minor traffic violation and then issued a summons for DWI. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I and my colleagues have represented hundreds of motorists charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs.

Some of these people were involved in serious accidents, while others were simply going about their business when they were stopped by a police office on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, or just a normal traffic violation that ended up turning into a full-blown DWI or drug DUI charge.

A smaller percentage of drivers are arrested for operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or a controlled and dangerous substance (CDS) as a result of a fatal traffic accident. As a DWI defense lawyer practicing throughout the Garden State, I will say that the most serious cases involve fatal wrecks or very serious injury accidents.

Fortunately for one New Jersey driver, it was only he who was suffered injury as a result of an apparent drunk driving episode that left his vehicle lying on its roof in Middletown Township back in March.

According to news reports, the 25-year-old Woodbine man reportedly veered off the road at a possibly high speed, which then caused his vehicle to flipped over and come to rest on the passenger side. Based on police reports, witnesses said that they had seen the man driving in what was described as an aggressive manner just prior to the single-vehicle crash.

According to police, Samuel Gazzara, Jr. was allegedly intoxicated when the wreck occurred on Court House-South Dennis Road on a Monday morning. Once police and rescue personnel arrived on the scene, the driver was treated and then transported to Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House for injuries he received during the crash.

Police stated that Gazzara was charged with driving while intoxicated, careless driving and failure to maintain a lane. No other vehicles or individuals were hurt or injured as a result of the incident.

Woodbine man charged with DWI in Middle Township crash, PressofAtlanticCity.com, March 9, 2010

It's obvious that professional athletes and other well-known personalities get into their fair share of trouble from time to time. Drunken driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or marijuana, even illicit or illegal drug DUIs are common. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense attorney, I and my colleagues represent numerous clients accused of these and other impaired driving offenses.

According to a news report, former Nets player, Jayson Williams, asked the court to toss out a DWI (driving while intoxicated) charge he received earlier not long ago in Manhattan. The NBA star claimed he had done nothing illegal and was simply sitting in his damaged Mercedes when local police arrested and charged him with driving under the influence.

The basketball star's DWI defense lawyer filed a statement along with other documents explaining to the court that Williams "had not, was not, or was not about to do any act which constituted a crime." According to reports, Williams is serving a five-year prison sentence in New Jersey after pleading guilty to aggravated assault for fatally shooting a limo driver in 2002.

In the drunk driving case, which remains open, prosecutors say they have evidence have William's blood-alcohol content (BAC) was more than double the legal limit after his Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle rammed into a tree last January 5. According to news articles, the local district attorney had no immediate response to those papers.

According to police reports, the evening of the crash, responding officers found Williams bleeding from several cuts and sitting in the SUV's front passenger seat. The former NBA star told the patrolmen that that he wasn't driving and that the person who had been operating the vehicle had left the scene. Prosecutors claim that nearby surveillance video and eye witness accounts place the 42-year-old Williams alone in the car that night.

Although he has pleaded not guilty, if convicted of DWI Williams could face up to a year in jail, that is, after he finishes serving time for the 2002 assault conviction.

Jayson Williams asks court to toss NYC DWI case, DaytonDailyNews.com, March 22, 2010