SPARTA TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — A Paterson man was charged with drunk driving and multiple traffic offenses after police stopped him on Route 15 in Sparta Township following a complaint of erratic driving, authorities said.
Police responded around 10:17 p.m. on Aug. 23 to Route 15 South near mile marker 10 after reports of a black Honda swerving between lanes, driving at inconsistent speeds and creating a traffic hazard.
The driver, identified as Hector Cintron, 52, of Paterson, allegedly showed signs of impairment and smelled of alcohol, according to police. Cintron admitted to drinking earlier and told officers he believed he was driving in Pennsylvania.
Field sobriety tests indicated impairment, and police said a search of the vehicle turned up an open container of alcohol beneath the driver’s seat. Cintron was arrested and taken to police headquarters, where a breath test was administered.
He was charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to maintain lane, open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, careless driving and delaying traffic.
Cintron was released to a sober adult and is scheduled to appear in municipal court.
