KEANSBURG, N.J. – Jean Attis, a central New Jersey man was arrested for DWI for the third time in less than a week.

According to Keansburg police, the 46-year-old borough resident was arrested on Saturday afternoon after he allegedly led police officers on a brief chase.

Officers pursued Attis through a neighboring town but the chase soon ended when Attis crashed into a fire hydrant in Keansburg.

Officers were pursuing Attis because they knew that his license had been revoked. The officers also knew that he had already been arrested twice for DWI earlier in the week. Those arrests took place between a 17-hour period.

Attis faces multiple charges, including DWI and eluding police officers. He also faces several motor vehicle citations.

Attis was arrested and was held on $20,000 cash bail.

At the moment, it is not known if Attis had a lawyer.

News Source: www.SFGate.com

RANDOLPH – On Saturday, an intoxicated Parsippany police officer ran his Chevrolet Silverado off the road and wound up in a residential front yard, according to the police.

Randolph police said that 30-year-old John R. Freudenberg was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving on Saturday night.

Randolph Sgt. Frank Mygas, and officers Jason Gould and Jason Del Turco responded to the accident; they found the car in the front yard of a Jennifern Avenue home.

Del Turco spoke to Freudenberg, and was told that he “ran off the road”.

Freudenberg also told that he is a Parsippany officer and according to Randolph Detective Lt. Christopher Giuliani, he didn’t have any idea that Freudenberg attempted to use his status as an officer to avoid arrest.

When the incident happened, Freudenberg was also off-duty.

Del Turco smelled alcohol on Freudenberg’s breath and issued him field sobriety tests. After that he was taken into custody and charged with driving while intoxicated.

The result of his breath test was not released by the police.

Freudenberg’s passenger complained of pain but didn’t want to receive medical treatment at the scene, said Randolph police.

According to the police, Freudenberg didn’t complain of any injuries.

News Source: www.DailyRecord.com

PATERSON – On Tuesday 11 Feb., a retired State Police commander, 47-year-old Maj. Michael Mattia, accepted to stealing more than $55,000 from a charitable fund he oversaw that was intended to assist fellow troopers and their families, and also getting a $19,000 loan from a subordinate colleague by lying.

To pay some undisclosed personal expenses, acting Maj. Michael Mattia stole the money from the bank accounts of the Troop B Health and Welfare Fund until his retirement in April 2013 from August 2011.

The investigation was started by the state Attorney General’s Office after Mattia left the force and they came to know that the charity’s bank account had only $26 left.

In October, the allegation against Mattia and the state’s investigation was first disclosed by The Star-Ledger.

Acting state Attorney General John Hoffman said, “Mattia betrayed his badge and those who served under him. This guilty plea demonstrates that nobody is above the law — in fact, we hold police officers to the highest standards”.

Mattia pleaded guilty to a single charge of theft by deception in court before Superior Court Judge Donald Volkert Jr. of Passaic County. He didn’t speak too much during the court hearing other than answering “yes, sir” to the allegations.

The state prosecutors will recommend Mattia be sentenced to probation and about a year in jail, under a plea bargain reached with the Attorney General’s Office. Sentencing is scheduled for 14th of March.

Mattia was a member of Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes’ command staff and in charge of Troop B in Totowa, overseeing northern New Jersey. He also administered the charitable fund, which uses proceeds from the sale of State Police apparel to pay scholarships and other trooper requirements. He transferred $55,500 in his account as he had access to the fund’s checking account and debit card. In March 2013, he paid $8,500 back and then $17,000 cash after being confronted about the account’s low balance, said the investigators.

Mattia got the $19,000 loan cash from a subordinate trooper, Neal Picillo and Mattia accepted he told Picillo that he needed the money to pay his mortgage and his children’s tuition. Mattia has not paid any amount of the loan back. It was later found out that he needed the money to replenish the fund.

Under the plea bargain, Mattia has to pay the outstanding $30,000 back owed to the fund as well as the $19,000 to Picillo. He will also not be able to do a job in New Jersey. His pension will be decided at a later date which was given by the state Treasury Department.

Mattia’s plea comes after a year when it was found that troopers assigned to Troop B had led a high-speed caravan of sports vehicles along some of New Jersey’s busiest highways. 2 troopers were criminally charged for the “Death Race 2012”. In 2013, one trooper pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year probation, and also accepted a permanent ban from law enforcement or public employment in New Jersey. The 2nd trooper was also banned from state law enforcement and in return entered a program for 1st time offenders. Under the agreement, upon completion of the program, the charges will be dismissed.

News Source: www.NJ.com

ATLANTIC CITY – A survey done by a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll found that 41% of the participants support smoking marijuana in free time for enjoyment if it became legal. This shows that only 32 percent individuals support gambling over the Internet which is legal in New Jersey.

The survey clearly showed that more residents of New Jersey want to smoke pot than bet online.

According to the survey, support for online betting has decreased even though more than 150,000 online gambling accounts have been set up in the state.

Poll director Krista Jenkins said, “The public’s attitude was, for several years, warming up to online gambling. But there has been a clear change in direction now that the practice has actually been legalized. Part of the public has always shown deep reluctance to make gambling so accessible in their own homes. Now that it is in fact legal, they may be more concerned than ever”.

On 21st of November, internet gambling started in New Jersey with a 5 day trial period and after that it was launched statewide on 26th of November. It took in nearly $8.4 million, through the end of the year.

The survey found that 57% residents were not in the favor of Internet gambling, which is 46% more from March 2013.

A senior lecturer of hospitality management at the university, Donald Hoover, said that the increased opposition may be a reflection of residents’ annoyance at heavy advertising from New Jersey casinos.

Those individuals who say that they visited a casino in the last 1 year are significantly in favor of online gambling. Almost 40% are in favor of it while 28% of those individuals who have not recently visited a casino do so.

As far as recreational marijuana is concerned, 80% of the voters have heard or read a lot of news about the states that have recently legalized the use of drug for the purpose of enjoyment.

According to Jenkins, “These numbers point to the possibility that fertile ground exists in the state for those looking to expand legalization beyond medicinal use. Policymakers will likely be watching for changes in public opinion as the percentage difference between those in favor and opposed gets closer to the 50/50 mark. Right now, however, a majority of the public remains opposed”.

From 20th of January to 26th of January, the survey of 734 registered voters in New Jersey was conducted by landline telephones and cellphones. It has a margin of error of 3.6%.

News Source: www.NJ.com

According to a recent study, the below mentioned routes and the roadways were the most dangerous for New Jersey pedestrians, as a large number of deaths occurred there.

The list with the name of “most dangerous roads for walking” was made by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. The list compiled is the annual one in which complete statistics were shown.

For the 4th consecutive year, a South Jersey roadway has been said as the most deadly road for pedestrians. In the year 2012, the pedestrian deaths increased for the third straight year.

Between the time period of 2010 and 2012, 12 pedestrians died on Route 130 in Burlington County. Of the 12 deaths, 8 occurred within a 7.5-mile section from Cinnaminson to Willingboro.

Given below is the list of New Jersey’s seven deadliest roads for pedestrians:

• Route 130 (Burlington Pike) in Burlington County. From 2010 to 2012, twelve individuals were killed on the route.
• Route 30 (White Horse Pike, Admiral Wilson Boulevard) in Camden County. The number of individuals who died on this road is nine.
• Route 1 in Middlesex County. Seven deaths occurred there.
• Route 322/40 (Black Horse Pike, Albany Avenue) in Atlantic County. The total number of deaths occurred is six.
• Route 30 (White Horse Pike, Absecon Boulevard) in Atlantic County. Six individuals were killed on the route.
• Routes 1 & 9/Route 1 (Tonnelle Avenue) in Hudson County. Six individuals died on the route while walking.
• Route 9 in Middlesex County. It is dangerous for people walking on foot and six individuals were killed.

In last 3 years, the number of pedestrians that were died on New Jersey roads was 442 from which 161 died in 2012, up from 142 pedestrian were killed in 2011 and 139 deaths occurred in 2010.

The deaths occurred on the roads prohibited to pedestrians and on portions of roads where walkers are not allowed are not counted in the estimate.

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign is forcing for New Jersey elected officials to pass pending bill which is related to the protection of pedestrians, funding pedestrian and bicyclist improvements and for New Jersey to continue its “Complete Streets” policy of building roads with bikers, pedestrians and motorists in mind. Tri-State said that “arterial” roadways and multi-lane roads with speed limits of 40 mph or above than that and have few accommodations such as sidewalks, median islands and crosswalks were the most deadly for the pedestrians.

News Source: www.NJ.com

DELRAN – On Tuesday, police said that 45-year-old Joseph M. Rupert, a Texas resident, was found in possession of several illegal weapons early Sunday during a traffic stop on Route 130 South.

Rupert was pulled over around 2:16 a.m. for failing to maintain a lane. Further investigation showed that Rupert had an assault rifle, handgun, high-powered rifle with a high-capacity magazine, and hollow-point bullets.

According to police reports, Rupert did not have a permit for the handgun and other weapons he was carrying which are illegal in New Jersey.

Rupert was charged with multiple weapon offenses, driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated near a school, reckless driving and also refusing to give a breath test.

He was arrested and placed in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly. His bail was set at $50,000.

News Source: www.BurlingtonCountyTimes.com

CHERRY HILL TWP. – On early Saturday morning, 49-year-old Brian Hanratty was accused of hitting a police vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Hanratty hit the marked police vehicle after the officer had stopped another driver on Route 70, near West Gate Drive. According to the police, the officer was outside the vehicle when Hanratty’s Toyota Solara hit the car and drove off. He was stopped by the police officers at Route 70 and Wexford almost 2 miles away from the accident spot.

Police charged him for eluding and driving while intoxicated (DWI) among other motor vehicle violations. He was processed and released pending a court appearance.

The incident highlights the importance of New Jersey’s Move Over Law which was implemented in 2009 which is to protect police and others working on roadways, said police. Under the law, the individuals can safely move to a lane not adjacent an authorized emergency vehicle stopped on the road and flashing its red, blue, amber or yellow light. If the individual cannot do so, then he/she must slow down below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop if required.

News Source: www.NJ.com

New Jersey’s drunken-driving laws may be altered, increasing the number of individuals who will have to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles to permit them to drive legally.

According to the proposal, if an individual is convicted of driving under the influence, their driver’s license will be suspended for 10 days and they will have to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle for 3 to 6 months.

Individuals arrested in New Jersey for driving under the influence with more than 0.08% blood-alcohol content will have their driver’s license suspended for three months to 12 months and other than that, they will also face fines and surcharges. The only 1st-time offenders required to install ignition interlocks in their vehicles will be those who drive their vehicle with a BAC level of more than 0.15%.Those individuals who violate state DWI laws again in the following 10 years face loss of their driver’s license for 2 years and serve jail for two to 90 days. They will also be required to install an ignition interlock to stop them from driving drunk.

Interlock ignition device is a device which is installed in the vehicle of the drunk driver to make the individual and other people safe on the roads as the person has to breathe in the device to verify the individual’s BAC level is below the legal limit before the device allows the engine of the car to start. According to IgnitionInterlockDevice.com, installation by a state-approved mechanic can cost between $100 and $200, and it can be rented for $70 to $100 if an individual needs it for a specific time period.

In late June, the bill cleared the state Senate. Earlier this month, it cleared the Assembly’s Judiciary Committee and is now before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving proposed it as it is in favor of wider use of interlock devices. According to MADD, the interlock is more effective than a driver’s license suspension because 50 to 75% of convicted drunken drivers continue to drive even after their license is suspended.

Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, one of the bill sponsors said, “I think the goal should be to prevent drunk-driving. Not catch drunk drivers after they’ve driven drunk”. He said that most of the proof shows a tremendous amount of repeat offenders even if unintentionally they start to have one or two and that turns into five or six. According to him, only the suspension of license is not useful. He told about the accidents that killed 17-year-old Ricci Branca in July 2006 and 22-year-old John Elliott in July 2000. They were killed by individuals driving on a suspended license. He added, “We can suspend their license, but it doesn’t mean they won’t get behind the wheel and drive”.

The proposal of MADD is not supported by everyone and Sherri Branca said an individual should immediately lose their driver’s license once the person is convicted of driving under the influence. “If they lose their license, that is the best thing that could happen,” she said. After her son died, she and her family lobbied Trenton lawmakers to pass “Ricci’s Law.” Named after their son, it requires ignition interlocks for drivers convicted of driving with a BAC level more than 0.15 percent. Even though she lobbied for interlocks, she objected to what she saw was giving drunken drivers 2 chances. Those convicted in New Jersey of driving while intoxicated 3 times in a decade lose their license for ten years. Branca asked, “Why should you give them three chances? By the second time they could have killed someone”.

News Source: www.PressOfAtlanticCity.com

On Monday, a bill was approved by an Assembly panel that was proposed by Assembly Democrats Linda Stender (D-Middlesex, Somerset, Union) and Ralph R. Caputo (D-Essex) to make the penalties for driving while under the influence of alcohol strict in New Jersey.

According to Stender, “Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Innocent people are dying because of the irresponsible choices of others. Under this bill, if you get caught drinking and driving, you face having to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, having your driving privileges restricted or losing them all together”.

The bill (A3835) altered the penalties for various DUI offenses in which making the installation of an ignition interlock device in the vehicles of drunk drivers mandatory, restricting and revoking driving privileges are included.

An ignition interlock device acts like a breathalyzer on the dashboard. Prior to starting a motor vehicle, the driver has to give a breath sample to the device and if the result is above than the pre-programmed level, then the device doesn’t allow the vehicle to start.

Caputo said, “In 2010, alcohol-impaired driving crashes accounted for nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. This bill helps send a stern message to drivers who fail to see the danger they put themselves and others when they drink and drive. If you choose to be irresponsible by drinking and driving, then you will have your driving privileges limited or have to install the equivalent of a breathalyzer in your car to do the reasoning for you”.

According to the bill, if any person commits the offense of DUI or refuses to give a breath sample for an intoxication test, the individual will be required to install an ignition interlock device in his/her vehicle. The court will order to suspend the driver’s license of a DUI offender for a period of ten days during which the person will have to install the device in the vehicle if the device is not installed. If the individual commits the DUI offense for the 2nd time then during this same time period of ten days, he/she would be required to obtain a restricted use driver’s license with various court-ordered driving restrictions, issued by the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission. If the individual does not have his/her own motor vehicle then the court would instead order the person to lose his right to drive a motor vehicle over the state’s highways. If the individual commits a 3rd DUI offense, the penalty is suspension of their driving license for ten years.

An individual would be guilty of a disorderly person’s offense if he/she fails to install an ignition interlock device as ordered by a court or if he/she drives a device-equipped vehicle by giving a breath sample of any other individual. The penalty for disorderly person’s offense is imprisonment of up to 6 months and the offender has to pay a fine of up to $1,000. Other than that, the court would suspend the individual’s driver’s license.

News Source: www.AssemblyDems.com

WASHINGTON – The time spent on research by the government on safety systems that automatically stop drivers from driving their motor vehicles under the influence of an intoxicant or when they are not wearing a seat belt has been increased.

Last Thursday, officials said that they hope to decide by the end of the year how to encourage and support automakers to make some special safety systems already in certain high-end vehicles available in more vehicles. Those systems give warning to motor vehicle drivers prior to an accident that they are about to collide with another vehicle and can brake automatically to avoid an accident or make it less severe with minimum injuries and damage.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the new and creative systems such as collision avoidance, seat belt interlocks and driver alcohol detection systems can decrease the number of traffic accidents and deaths caused by them.

As they looked forward to creating safety technologies, data showing the increase in highway fatalities since 2005 was released by the officials. In 2012, the number of road accident deaths was 33,561 and this number was 1,082 more than 2011.

David Strickland, the agency’s head told reporters in a conference call that despite the government’s best efforts, some Americans are still driving under the influence of alcohol, driving distracted and not wearing seat belts while operating a motor vehicle. He said, “These technologies are within reach. They address the top three highway safety threats. They have the potential to significantly decrease those deaths. We only need the will to act”.

The 3% rise in highway deaths may be due to last year’s unusually warm winter season that increased the motorcycle riding season. 72% of the rise occurred in the first 3 months of the year. According to the government, most of the individuals who died in the accidents were motorcyclists or pedestrians. Strickland said that the data of this year shows traffic accident fatalities may be decreasing again.

The seat belt interlocks will stop cars and trucks from being driven when the driver or a passenger is not wearing a seat belt or properly buckled in the vehicle. This could save about 3,000 people a year, according to the agency.

Strickland said that automakers prefer to install automatic systems that ensure all the passengers are belted, which is cheaper than spending money on designing the interiors of cars and trucks to ensure unbelted passengers, who get thrown around in accidents, are not injured. The safety administration is attempting to know whether the interlocks can be made tamper-proof and highly trustable.

The “driver alcohol detection system” is different from devices already required by some states for drivers taken into custody or convicted of DUI. To start a motor vehicle, drivers usually have to breathe into a tube to test their BAC level content. Detection systems like those NHTSA is researching with automakers don’t require any action from the driver other than putting his hands on the steering wheel, pressing a start button with a finger or simply breathing. The systems can check with the help of touch or air samples whether the driver’s BAC level content is above the 0.08% which is the legal limit. The idea is to include the systems as standard or optional equipment in new vehicles, even if the driver has a history of DUI or not.

The agency said, “The automatic system would be enabled every time the car is started, but unobtrusive so it would not pose an inconvenience to the non-intoxicated driver”. According to Strickland, the technology is still at least 5 years away.

Last year, 10,322 individuals died in driving under the influence accidents according to the agency. It is a 4.6% rise from 2011. Most of the drivers who died had a Blood Alcohol Content level of 0.15% or higher, almost double the legal limit for driving. The agency said, “Such technology could save thousands of these victims every year”.

Jan Withers, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving said that after 6 years of declines, the rise in DUI fatalities is “alarming”. “This news is frustrating because we know what works, and we know how to stop these senseless tragedies,” she said

The collision avoidance systems focus on one of the most common types of motor vehicle accidents. One-third of all police reported last year were the accidents that began with one vehicle striking the rear end of another vehicle, the agency said. Last year motorcycle deaths were increased 7.1%, the third annual increase. Pedestrians also experienced a huge increase in deaths which is 6.4%. Most of the pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas at night time and involve alcohol. Mostly pedestrians die when stepping into the street in the middle of the block rather than at intersections.

Credits: www.DelcoTimes.com