Somerville man charged with drunken driving
By:Laura Toto
A Somerville man faces several traffic charges after a police chase from Princeton into Hillsborough on Sept. 14 that was resolved when police found him asleep in someone’s bushes.
Gregory F. Wachino, 29, of 68 Huyler Road, Somerville, was charged with driving while intoxicated.
Princeton police reportedly told Hillsborough police that they were following a white 1991 Audi into the township. The chase had begun after Mr. Wachino drove through a flashing red traffic signal at Wiggins and Witherspoon streets in Princeton Borough at 2 a.m.
A patrol officer followed Mr. Wachino onto Route 206 north and into Hillsborough Township with his overhead lights and siren on, but the driver did not stop, Princeton police said.
Hillsborough police joined Princeton police in following Mr. Wachino north on Route 206, where police said he turned left onto Dukes Parkway West, allegedly swerving into the eastbound lane several times. He continued onto New Center and Auten roads, where he allegedly ran a red light.
Police said Mr. Wachino also ran the stop sign at Beekman Lane and New Amwell Road, before turning onto Beekman Lane.
About this time, police lost sight of the vehicle in Beekman Gardens, but about five minutes later found it parked in the area of Dover Court. Mr. Wachino was not in the vehicle.
At 5 a.m., police received a suspicious persons complaint of someone sleeping in the bushes of a Dover Court house.
Police found Mr. Wachino and allegedly detected a strong odor of alcohol.
Police asked Mr. Wachino why he ran from the Princeton police. He told them he didn’t want to be away from home because he would have been arrested for drunken driving. He also told police he was drinking in a bar in Princeton but he could not recall the name.
Mr. Wachino told police he had about eight beers. Police then had Mr. Wachino perform field sobriety tests and subsequently charged him with driving while intoxicated.
Mr. Wachino refused to take a breath test.
Mr. Wachino was charged by the Princeton police with eluding police, failure to observe a red flashing signal, failure to keep right, failure to yield or stop for an emergency vehicle, driving with a suspended license in a school zone, reckless driving and driving without a license.
Hillsborough police said the investigation continues and further charges may be filed.