HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) – A Hackettstown man is facing several charges including driving while intoxicated after he was allegedly driving erratically and then struck a police car twice Sunday night.
On October 2, at around 9:25 p.m., police responded to the area of West Valley View Ave for a report of an erratic motor vehicle. The officer located and stopped the vehicle in a driveway on West Valley View Ave, police said.
While the driver was still in his vehicle, the car began rolling back and struck the police vehicle. The driver then pulled his vehicle forward and the car then rolled backwards again, striking the police vehicle, police said.
When the officer made contact with the driver, who was identified as Manuel E. Mencia-Copland, 33, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. The officer also observed an open Modelo alcoholic beverage container in the center cup holder of the vehicle, police said.
During the course of the interaction, Mencia-Copland refused to listen to the officer’s commands and when he was arrested, he was not cooperative, police said.
Mencia-Copland was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of an open container of alcohol, disorderly conduct, and reckless driving. He was released pending a court appearance, police said.
