SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – A Sussex County man is facing DUI and weapons charges after an erratic driving complaint led to his arrest in Sparta Township, according to police.
On January 11, at around 3:23 p.m., officers responded to reports of an erratic driver near Sparta Junction. Witnesses reported seeing a grey Nissan Armada swerving off the roadway, running a red light, and driving recklessly along Route 15. Officers quickly located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on Town Center Drive, police said.
The driver, identified as Felix Alvarado, 60, of Lafayette Township, allegedly exhibited signs of impairment, including lethargy, slurred speech, and constricted pupils. Field sobriety tests revealed significant difficulty in maintaining balance and following instructions. Alvarado later allegedly admitted to taking oxycodone earlier in the day, police said.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a large serrated machete and narcotic paraphernalia, police said.
Alvarado was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, certain persons not to possess weapons, driving while under the influence, careless driving, reckless driving, and failure to notify the DMV of an address change. He was lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance, police said.
