Off-duty officer intervenes to stop alleged intoxicated driver leaving Sussex County park with kids
BYRAM TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – An off-duty officer intervened to stop an alleged intoxicated driver leaving a Byram Township park with kids.
On Oct. 6, an off-duty Byram Township police officer observed two individuals acting erratically at C.O. Johnson Park, police said.
The individuals, later identified as Cody J. Harris of Hardyston Township and his passenger, John Duffy, appeared suspicious as they repeatedly approached their vehicle while playing with their children at the park. Harris was seen stumbling and falling, and he appeared to be intoxicated, police said.
As Harris attempted to drive his grey Ram pickup truck, which was occupied by two juveniles and Duffy, the off-duty officer intervened, identifying himself and informing Harris that he was being detained until uniformed patrol arrived to assess his ability to drive, police said.
While speaking to Harris, the passengers exited the vehicle. Harris attempted to drive away but was ordered to stop; he eventually complied. When ordered out of the vehicle, Harris complied but then attempted to walk away.
When patrols arrived, they found Harris displaying signs of intoxication and unable to complete standardized field sobriety tests, police said.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered several open containers of alcohol. Harris was arrested and transported to the Byram Township Police Station, where he refused breath tests, police said.
Harris has been charged with two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, refusal to submit to chemical tests, consent to take samples of breath, and possessing an open container of alcohol or unsealed cannabis in a motor vehicle. He was released to a family member pending a mandatory court date.
