Drunk Man Injures McDonald’s Employee After Crashing Into Restaurant

Around 3:20 AM on December 31, 2024, Officers Alexander Reyes, Michael Reo, and Ryan Conlon with the Hackensack Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle having crashed into the McDonald’s at 343 River Street. They made contact with the driver of a black 2025 Dodge Ram, who was identified as 38-year-old Christian Andia. A 21-year-old employee at McDonald’s complained of pain in the head, neck, and back after she was struck by debris following the motor vehicle crash.

Officer Reyes asked Christian to explain what happened, and asked him multiple times how much he had to drink. Christian admitted that he had consumed alcohol before driving the pickup truck. Christian also indicated that his wife may have been inside the vehicle at the time of the collision, but they would later determine that Christian was the only occupant at the time of the crash. Based on his suspicions of impairment, Officer Reyes asked Christian to perform field sobriety exercises.

Officer Reyes started with the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Christian failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step while failing to count out loud and turning improperly. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Christian failed to raise his foot in the proper fashion and put his foot down before the test was complete.

Based on the motor vehicle crash, the injuries sustained by the McDonald’s employee, his admission to consuming alcohol, and his inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Officer Reyes placed Christian under arrest for driving under the influence. Officer Conlon remained on scene with the victim, who was later transported to Hackensack University Medical Center. PSE&G, Veolia Water, and the Hackensack Building Department all responded to the scene because there the gas line, water main, and electrical supply were all damaged.

The vehicle driven by Christian was impounded by Polifly Towing for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. Officer Reyes transported Christian to the Hackensack Police Department for further processing. At police headquarters, Christian was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and initially agreed to submit breath samples. However, he later refused to blow into the machine and he was charged with a refusal. After he was processed, he was released to his wife after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Christian’s behalf.

Since the McDonald’s employee sustained significant injuries as a result of Christian driving under the influence, he was criminally charged with assault by auto (2C:12-1C(2)). Christian was also issued the following traffic citations:

-Operating under the influence

-Refusal to submit to chemical test

-Reckless driving

-Careless driving

-Failure to exhibit insurance card

Court records indicate that Christian has previously been charged with DWIs in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey on February 27, 2015 as well as in Cliffside Park, New Jersey on May 18, 2008 and May 16, 2008. He was also arrested for burglary in New Milford, New Jersey on August 22, 2008 and charged under 2C:18-2A(1).

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