SPARTA TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — An Essex County man was charged with driving while intoxicated after he crashed his vehicle into a wooded embankment late Saturday night and had to be extricated by emergency responders in Sparta Township, police said.
At approximately 11:26 p.m. on July 12, officers responded to the area of 505 West Mountain Road for a report of a single-car crash. Officers arrived to find a black Acura Integra that had veered off the road, crossed to the opposite side, broke through a wooden barrier, and came to rest down a steep, wooded embankment.
The driver, identified as 28-year-old Ciro Antecio-Martinez of Newark, was found conscious and alert. He initially told officers that he had fallen asleep at the wheel and did not report any injuries. Upon further evaluation, however, officers observed signs of impairment.
Antecio-Martinez allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol earlier in the evening, at first stating he had consumed three drinks, then later telling another officer that he had taken three to four shots at a wedding.
Due to the possibility of injuries, field sobriety tests were not performed at the scene. Emergency personnel from the Sparta Fire Department and Sparta EMS extricated Antecio-Martinez from the vehicle and transported him to Newton Medical Center for evaluation.
While in the ambulance, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. He was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated and advised of his Miranda Rights, which he acknowledged. A search warrant for blood and urine samples was granted via telephone at 12:59 a.m.
Police issued multiple motor vehicle summonses to Antecio-Martinez, including driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and obstructed windshield. He is scheduled to appear in Sparta Municipal Court on July 31.
