SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A national campaign that increases drunk driving enforcement has proved successful locally.
Through the end of August, South Brunswick Police had charged seven people as part of the “Drive Sober or Be Pulled Over” campaign.
The increased enforcement effort ran from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7 in an effort to apprehend impaired drivers toward the end of summer, especially on Labor Day.
“We have over 100 hours of dedicated enforcement. Our focus is to have a safe end of the summer by increasing awareness and enforcement,” Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said.
A single-vehicle crash on Aug. 31 resulted in a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) against Shane Griffin, 21, of Milltown. Around 3:51 a.m. Griffin was driving a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer on Georges Road near Crossroads North Middle School when he reportedly ran off the road and struck a utility pole and a mailbox, police said. He was released with summonses pending his first court appearance.
Four people visiting from Canada were injured after their vehicle was rear-ended at 3:58 a.m. Aug. 29 by an alleged drunk driver. Evan Tschabold, 20, of East Brunswick, was headed north on Route 1 near the Dow Jones Company when his 2007 Mazda crashed into a Dodge Caravan carrying the Canadians. Tschabold was charged with DUI and careless driving. He was released on a summons pending his first court appearance. The Canadians were transported to Princeton University Hospital where they were treated and released, police said.
A 31-year-old Georgia man was charged with drunk driving after a crash on Route 535 (Cranbury-South River Road) on Aug. 29. At 12:40 a.m., Bodi Fan was heading north on Route 535 when his 2015 Kia allegedly crossed over into the southbound lanes and struck a 2003 Buick being driven by a 54-year-old Trenton man. The Trenton man was taken to Princeton University Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police said. Fan was charged with DUI, careless driving and failure to maintain a lane. He was released on a summons pending his first court appearance.
A 42-year-old Marlboro resident was charged with drunk driving on Aug. 27 after being pulled over in the DoubleTree Hotel parking lot, according to police. An officer observed a white Porsche moving erratically in the hotel parking lot, according to reports. When the officer sought to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly mistakenly put the vehicle in reverse and almost struck the patrol car, police said. The driver, Bhaumik Kaushik, was issued several motor vehicle summonses including DUI and careless driving. He was released pending his first court appearance.
Handeep Patel, 39, of Princeton, was charged with drunk driving after being stopped for speeding on Route 522 around 11:40 p.m. Aug. 23. He was charged with reckless driving, DUI, speeding and failure to maintain a lane. He was released pending his first court appearance.
A 28-year-old Manalapan woman was charged with DUI on Aug. 22 after she was allegedly found asleep in traffic. An officer reportedly observed Patrizia Cuccia asleep in her 2009 Toyota — which was missing a rear wheel — on Route 535 at Ridge Road. She was charged with reckless driving and DUI. She was released pending her first court appearance.
Hemrajani Rahul of North Brunswick was in his 2014 Acura on Route 1 south at 12:30 a.m. Aug. 21 when he was allegedly stopped for speeding, according to police. The 23-year-old was charged with reckless driving, DUI and speeding. He was released pending his first court appearance.