Several Charged with DUI During Busy Weekend for Police

South Brunswick Police charged several people last weekend in separate incidents involving alleged intoxicated drivers.

On March 2 at 4:20 p.m., South Brunswick Police Sgt. Jim Ryan was off duty when he observed a 2007 Ford pickup truck headed south on Route 130, riding on rims with no tires on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Officer John Niper located and stopped the truck on Route 130 near Melrich Road. The driver of the vehicle, Larry Hill, 62, of Neptune, told Niper that he hit a curb somewhere in North Brunswick and blew out his tires, according to police. Hill was given a field sobriety test after Niper detected the odor of alcohol on his breath, police said.

Hill was charged with driving while under the influence, reckless driving, operating an unsafe vehicle, and failure to stay in one lane. Hill's vehicle was impounded and he was released pending his first court appearance. 

Later on March 2, at 11:50 p.m., police were advised of an erratic driver whose vehicle was "all over the road" on Route 1. Soon thereafter, Officer William Merkler observed a 2002 Buick speeding on New Road, police said.

Merkler stopped the vehicle on Constable Road and identified the driver as Robert Surrey, 28, of Hamilton. Police said Surrey had slow and deliberate speech as he was speaking to the officer.

Police allegedly observed a glass pipe used to smoke marijuana on Surrey's passenger seat, and said when he exited the vehicle there was a clear plastic bag sticking out of his pants pocket. Surrey told the officer the bag had contained marijuana, but he had smoked it already, according to police.

Surrey was charged with driving under the influence after being given field sobriety tests. Police then allegedly found heroin and crack cocaine on Surrey while he was being arrested.

Surrey was charged with DUI, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, and speeding. He was released after posting $1,000 bail.

On March 3, at 12:10 a.m., Officer Salvatore Fama observed a vehicle allegedly run a red light on Route 1 at the New Road intersection.

Fama then stopped the 2003 Honda, driven by Pritten Patel, 23, of Saddle Brook. Police said Patel had slurred speech and the odor of alcohol on his breath. Patel was arrested after being given field sobriety tests. He was charged with DUI, reckless driving, failure to maintain a lane, and disregard of a traffic signal. Patel was released pending his first court appearance.

On March 3, at 1:10 a.m., police were alerted by a passing motorist to a red Dodge Dakota pickup truck in a ditch on New Road near Sondek Park. As an officer arrived at the location, police said two teenagers ran from the scene while two other teens stayed behind.

Police said that all four teenagers had been drinking alcohol in the park, but when the group went to leave the driver of the vehicle drove into a ditch. The 17-year-old driver of the truck was charged with DUI and underage consumption of alcohol.

The three passengers, Justin Goldstein, 18, Ketul Patel, 18, and a 17-year-old male, all of Kendall Park, were charged with underage consumption of an alcoholic beverage.

The four teens were arrested and transported to police headquarters. They were all released pending a future court appearance.