Driver Arrested for DWI After Crashing into a Tesla

Around 10:01 PM on February 3, 2024, Officer Damien Bates with the Hoboken Police Department responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a 2010 Volkswagen and 2023 Tesla in the vicinity of Washington Street and 6th Street. Officer Bates made contact with the driver of the Volkswagen, who was identified as 31-year-old Glen. First responders with the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps were evaluating the 29-year-old driver of the Tesla. The other driver would eventually be transported to Hoboken University Medical Center.

Glen told Officer Bates that he was driving southbound on Washington Street when the Tesla suddenly exited a parking space causing him to collide with the other vehicle. When he was speaking with Glen, he detected the odor of alcohol. Sergeant McCourt asked him if he had been drinking, and he admitted to consuming alcohol about 2 hours before the incident. Based on their suspicion of impairment, Sergeant McCourt called for another officer to come and administer field sobriety exercises.

Officer Grossi arrived on scene and escorted Glen to the sidewalk to perform field sobriety exercises. He also admitted to Officer Grossi that he had consumed alcohol before driving that evening. Officer Grossi started the field sobriety exercises by administering the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, and he observed the lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. However, he did not observe vertical nystagmus in either eye. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test and the final exercise was the One Leg Stand test.

Based on the motor vehicle accident, the odor of alcohol, his admission to consuming alcohol earlier that evening, and his inability to adequately perform the field sobriety exercises, Glen was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. His vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Glen was transported to the Hoboken Police Department for further processing.

At police HQ, Glen was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and he agreed to submit breath samples for testing after initially hesitating. His Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.10%, which was more than the legal limit of 0.08%. He was also fingerprinted and photographed. Glen was issued traffic summonses for operating under the influence and reckless driving. He was also charged with Assault by Auto under 2C:12-1C(2).

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