ANDOVER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — A Florida man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after allegedly driving erratically and in the wrong lane Wednesday evening, nearly striking a police vehicle, authorities said.
Andover Township police said dispatch was notified by the New Jersey State Police at approximately 6:54 p.m. Feb. 11 about a U-Haul box truck driving erratically in the area of Lawrence Road. Officers responded and began searching for the vehicle.
Police said a responding officer’s patrol vehicle was nearly struck when the U-Haul was observed traveling toward him in the wrong lane of traffic. The officer turned around and initiated a motor vehicle stop.
The driver was identified as CJ Cary of Sarasota, Florida. While investigating possible impairment, an officer observed Cary urinating in his pants, police said.
While officers were on scene, dispatch advised that the U-Haul matched the description of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash in Hardyston within the previous 30 minutes.
Due to Cary’s slurred speech and confused state, officers attempted field sobriety tests but stopped them early for his safety, police said. Cary was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while intoxicated.
He was transported to police headquarters for processing and later taken by ambulance to Newton Medical Center due to what police described as extreme intoxication. Officers obtained a search warrant for a blood sample, which was collected by hospital staff.
Cary was issued multiple summonses, including DWI, and released to hospital staff pending a future municipal court appearance.
