FLORHAM PARK BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris county) — Two Morristown men were arrested on drug-related charges early Feb. 1 after a traffic stop on Route 24 that began with an alleged violation of New Jersey’s Slow Down, Move Over law, police said.
According to Florham Park police, an officer was monitoring traffic around a separate motor vehicle stop conducted by the New Jersey State Police at about 1:10 a.m. when he observed a vehicle fail to move over for a state police patrol car.
Police said the vehicle also failed to maintain its lane, repeatedly braked and rapidly accelerated for no apparent reason. The officer conducted a stop, and the vehicle came to rest partially straddling the right fog line and shoulder, occupying part of the travel lane.
During the stop, the officer observed open alcohol containers inside the vehicle and removed the driver for field sobriety testing. State troopers assisted at the scene and helped move the vehicle out of the roadway.
The driver, identified as Faustino Barragan-Gonzalez, 18, was determined to be unlicensed and under the legal age to possess or consume alcohol, police said. Authorities allege he failed field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.
During a search incident to arrest, officers found multiple clear plastic bags containing suspected cocaine on Barragan-Gonzalez, police said. A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered additional materials commonly used for distributing controlled dangerous substances, along with more open alcohol containers.
The passenger, Sabino Martinez-Gonzalez, 21, of Morristown, was also arrested after officers reportedly found additional baggies of suspected cocaine during a search of his person.
Both men were charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense.
Barragan-Gonzalez was additionally charged with multiple motor vehicle offenses, including driving while under the influence, failure to change lanes away from an emergency vehicle, reckless driving, unlicensed driving and possession of alcohol in a vehicle. Martinez-Gonzalez was charged with motor vehicle violations including open container and permitting operation of a vehicle by a person under the influence.
Both were later released to a responsible adult pending a court appearance in Morris County Superior Court.
Police said the incident underscores the dangers faced by emergency personnel and motorists on the roadside and the importance of complying with the state’s Slow Down, Move Over law. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
