Man charged with DUI after officer sees him smoking marijuana while driving in Hunterdon County

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — A Flemington man was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a traffic stop on Route 31 South in Clinton Township, according to police.

Police said the incident occurred Feb. 17 when an officer observed a gray GMC Yukon approaching with a cracked windshield and saw the driver smoking marijuana while passing the patrol vehicle.

A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Route 31 South near Center Street, police said. The driver was identified as Justin Z. Jimenez, 20, of Flemington.

During the stop, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed signs of impairment, authorities said. Standardized field sobriety tests were administered, and police determined Jimenez was unable to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Jimenez was placed under arrest and his vehicle was impounded, police said.

He was transported to police headquarters for processing, where he submitted breath samples for chemical testing.

Police charged Jimenez with driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to maintain proper windshield safety glass, throwing objects from a motor vehicle, possession of an open container of cannabis inside a motor vehicle and consumption of cannabis inside a motor vehicle.

Jimenez was released to a responsible adult pending a scheduled court appearance, police said.