HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — A Hackettstown man was arrested earlier this month after police said he fled the scene of a hit-and-run crash and was later found driving under the influence.
Hackettstown police responded around 5:39 p.m. Oct. 1 to Grand Avenue and Route 46 for a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash. An investigation revealed that a 2022 Ford pickup truck struck another vehicle at the intersection and then fled the scene, police said.
A few minutes later, the Warren County Dispatch Center received a call reporting an erratic black Ford pickup truck traveling in the area of Washington Street. The caller provided information and a registration number that was later confirmed to be the vehicle involved in the earlier crash, according to police.
A passenger in the vehicle that was struck sustained an injury but refused medical attention at the scene.
Officers later located the suspect vehicle entering River’s Edge Gardens Apartments on Mountain Avenue. Police identified the driver as Eleazar J. Franco-Diaz, 25, of Hackettstown. Officers reported detecting the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle and observed an open can of Michelob Ultra in the center console.
Franco-Diaz was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, making improper right turns, failure to report an accident, refusal to submit to a chemical test, open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, failure to maintain lane, failure to possess a registration card, failure to possess an insurance card, driving while intoxicated, violation of the safety glass requirement, and reckless driving.
He was released to a family member pending a court appearance.
