Drunken-driving blamed for trio of car accidents

By: Davy James – Staff Writer
Three separate traffic accidents over the weekend led to the arrests of three individuals on drunken-driving charges.
The collisions happened during the opening weekend of the "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" campaign by law enforcement agencies nationwide. The campaign, which runs from Aug. 20 through Sept. 6, seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of drunken driving, while increasing saturation patrols and traffic checkpoints.
The first crash took place at 9 a.m. on Aug. 20. Elizabeth Defrank, 44, of South Brunswick, was headed north on Route 1, when she exited for New Road, police said. Ms. Defrank failed to yield at a yield sign and struck a 2007 Toyota that was traveling on New Road, according to police.
Ms. Defrank was charged with driving while intoxicated and careless driving. She was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for minor injuries. The driver of the Toyota did not require medical attention.
At 3 a.m. on Aug. 21, Manesh Sindwani, 41, of Plainsboro, was driving a 2009 Lexus on Herrod Boulevard when his vehicle struck a curb and then a tree, according to police. Police arrived to find Mr. Sindwani’s vehicle still at the sight of the impact and soon located Mr. Sindwani nearby.
Mr. Sindwani told officers that he didn’t see the tree. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
At 11:44 p.m. on Aug. 21, Albert Biedenkapp, 22, of South Brunswick, was arrested after he struck two parked cars on Stanley Avenue, police said. Mr. Biedenkapp was around the corner from his residence when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a 1999 Toyota minivan, which ended up on the curb as a result of the impact, and a 2005 Ford pickup truck, according to police.
Mr. Biedenkapp was charged with driving while intoxicated and careless driving.
No serious injuries were reported in any of the accidents, police said. All three drivers were released pending their court appearances.