North Bergen Police cracked down on drunk driving in the township through a roving DWI patrol over Labor Day weekend.
According to Commander of the Detective Bureau Lt. Frank Cannella, police apprehended five motorists for driving while intoxicated and other charges. Commander of the Traffic Division Lt. James Somers said that the roving patrols were done in accordance with the national campaign “Over the Limit, Under Arrest.”
“We have to keep drunk drivers off of the road so people don’t get hurt,” said Somers. “That is the most important part.”
Allegedly left accident scene
Robert Hudson, 18, of Rutland, Vt. was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, DWI, and was issued a summons for leaving the scene of an accident on Sept. 5.
According to Cannella, Fairview Police stopped Hudson on the border of North Bergen at 91st and 3rd Avenue after they observed him allegedly strike the driver’s side mirror of a parked vehicle with his green 1997 Continental before driving away.
North Bergen Officers Thomas Yfantis and Greg Costanza responded to the scene at 4:35 a.m.
The officers noticed that there was no odor of alcohol on Hudson’s breath. When they asked him to exit the vehicle so that they could conduct a field sobriety test, Hudson allegedly dropped a blue-colored pipe that fell to the ground and broke.
Officers observed a bag containing what appeared to be a green and brown leafy substance resembling marijuana on the passenger seat.
He was unable to complete two of the three sobriety tests and police placed him under arrest before transporting him to Palisades Medical Center for a blood test.
No headlights led to DWI
Mario Castillo, 43, of North Bergen was charged with DWI, refusing a breathalyzer test, and was issued a summons for improper lighting on Sept. 5 at 2:20 a.m.
Sgt. Robert Farley pulled him over on Bergenline Avenue after he observed him allegedly driving without headlights. After stopping him, he noticed Castillo allegedly had the odor of alcohol on his breath, said Cannella.
Castillo was unable to complete all three field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters, where police said he refused to take a breathalyzer test.
Twice the limit
Police arrested and charged Alberto Bermudez, 40, of Fairview with driving while intoxicated and careless driving on Sept. 5 at 1 a.m.
After they conducted a motor vehicle stop on Bergenline Avenue, they “noticed the odor of an [alleged] alcoholic beverage” on his breath. When they asked him if he had been drinking, he allegedly told them “he had just two beers,” said Cannella.
He was unable to successfully complete all of the field sobriety tests. After being transported to headquarters, he allegedly scored a .16 in the breathalyzer test, which is twice the legal limit of .08.
Accident caused by alleged drunk driver
Gulliermo Arana, 40, of Guttenberg, was arrested for DWI, refusal of a breathalyzer test, failure to exhibit paperwork, and leaving the scene of an accident on Sept. 4.
Police responded to Bulls Ferry Road at 1:16 a.m. after Arana had allegedly struck a Nissan on River Road, then continued to the top of the road and hit a Toyota wagon, said Cannella.
“The second accident rendered his vehicle inoperable,” said Cannella.
“The second accident rendered his vehicle inoperable.” – Frank Cannella
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Almost triple the limit
Ljubomir Stevanoski, 54, of New York, was arrested on Sept. 3 for DWI.
While Traffic Division Officer William Fleischhauer was on patrol at around 11:30 p.m. he observed Stevanoski driving a four-door Nissan, allegedly drifting from one lane to the next.
When the officer successfully completed a motor vehicle stop he noticed the alleged odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Police said Stevanoski couldn’t complete the sobriety tests. After being transported to headquarters, had a breathalyzer result of .22, which is almost triple the legal limit of .08.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.