PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, N.J. (Morris County) — A U.S. Postal Service driver from Parsippany was charged with driving while intoxicated after police said the postal van he was driving struck a parked vehicle on New Road last month.
Parsippany-Troy Hills police responded to the area of 130 New Road on Sept. 20 for a motor vehicle crash involving a driver who was reported to be unconscious.
Police said they spoke with the owner of the parked vehicle, who reported that it had been struck by a U.S. Postal Service van. Officers found the van’s driver, identified as 44-year-old Abhijit S. Mokashi of Parsippany, unconscious in the driver’s seat, according to the police report.
An officer entered the van through the passenger side and woke Mokashi, who then got out of the vehicle, police said. Officers reported detecting the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and said his eyes appeared red and watery and his speech was slow.
According to police, Mokashi said he had no recollection of being involved in a crash. He was evaluated by Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad but refused medical assistance, police said.
Mokashi later performed field sobriety tests and was arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to the report. He was taken to police headquarters, where an Alcotest was administered.
Police said Mokashi was issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving and failure to maintain a lane.
The crash report states the postal van struck a legally parked vehicle in the parking lot at 130 New Road. No injuries were reported.
Mokashi was released to a family member and is scheduled to appear in Parsippany Municipal Court on Oct. 29.
