Chief of Detectives Arrested for DWI After 5-Car Crash

Around 9:55 PM on March 20, 2026, Officer Maurice Alvarez with the Somerville Police Department was dispatched to the scene of a 5-car crash on Main Street near the intersection with South Bridge Street. He arrived on scene and made contact with a 60-year-old man and 62-year-old woman who were struck while seated inside a parked 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Both occupants of the Mercedes were transported to the hospital for further evaluation.

According to the officers’ investigation, a black 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe owned by Somerset County first struck a 2024 Jeep Compass before striking the Mercedes. After striking the Mercedes, the driver struck a 2019 Lexus IS. The Lexus then pushed into a 2020 Infiniti QX60, causing minor damage to that vehicle.

The driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe was identified as Francisco Roman, the Chief of Detectives for the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. Officer David Chudy arrived on scene to assist shortly afterwards, and noticed that Francisco was displaying indicators of impairment. Francisco initially denied consuming any alcohol, before admitting to consuming some earlier that day. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Francisco was asked to perform field sobriety exercises. His poor performance on the field sobriety exercises confirmed the officers’ suspicion of impairment.

Based on the multi-vehicle crash, his indicators of impairment, and his inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Francisco was placed under arrest for DWI. Francisco was placed inside the patrol car after being handcuffed in front. The vehicle was towed to the Somerville Police Department, while Sergeant Timothy Pasquale transported Francisco to the Somerville Police Department for further processing.

At the station, the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to him, and he agreed to submit breath samples. His Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.14%, which was almost double the legal limit of 0.08%. After they finished processing Francisco, he was eventually released pending his court appearance.

Officer Chudy issued Francisco the following traffic tickets:

-Operating under the influence (39:4-50)

-Careless driving (39:4-97)

Francisco was also criminally charged with 2 counts of Assault by Auto (2C:12-1C(2)) since 2 people had to go to the hospital as a result of the crash. The investigation is being handled by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and Francisco’s case is still pending in court as of July 26, 2026.

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