SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – A Sussex County woman is facing charges including driving while intoxicated Tuesday following a motor vehicle crash in Sparta Township.
The crash happened at around 12:31 a.m. on Route 181 near Mara Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers observed two vehicles with heavy front-end damage in the northbound lane of travel, police said.
A silver Chevrolet Equinox being operated by Catherine M Lagrasta, 44 of Sparta Township was traveling South on Route 181 when she crossed the double yellow centerline and struck a silver Ford Focus, which was traveling North on Route 181, police said.
The driver of the Ford Focus suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Morristown Medical Center, police said.
While speaking with Lagrasta, officers suspected that she had consumed alcoholic beverages and was showing signs of impairment, police said.
Lagrasta was taken into custody and transported to the NJ State Police Sussex barracks for breath testing where she refused to submit a breath sample. Due to the other driver sustaining injuries, a warrant was granted for a blood draw which was taken by medical staff at the hospital, police said.
Lagrasta was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, refusal to submit to breath testing, failure to keep right and reckless driving.
“This investigation is ongoing and criminal charges may be issued for Lagrasta at a later date,” police said.
