Elmwood Park New Jersey police recently arrested a man accused of being drunk when he drove a car and crashed into a pedestrian on Route 46.

According to officials, the 30-year-old suspect was under the influence of alcohol while driving a 2003 Ford Escape on Route 46 in Elmwood Park, NJ.

Elmwood Park NJ police got a call about a car accident involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Route 46 and Boulevard. When police officers got to the scene, they found the 18-year-old victim lying on the pavement on Route 46 east.

The victim, who lives in Hackensack, was injured after the suspect allegedly struck him.

Emergency responders transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where he received medical treatment for his injuries. The victim was later released from the hospital.

Elmwood Park NJ police investigated the accident and determined that the driver was probably intoxicated. The suspect, who is from Wallington NJ, was subsequently arrested. He was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) and assault by auto.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted of assault by auto, he faces significant criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(c), anyone who operates a vehicle while intoxicated and causes serious bodily injury to another person can be charged with a third degree crime. A conviction for third degree assault by auto could result in a sentence of 3-5 years in NJ State Prison.

After being placed under arrest and charged, the suspect was transported to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey. He was being held at the correctional facility on $10,000 bail.

For further information about this case, go to the NJ.com article entitled “Drunk Man Allegedly Hit Pedestrian with Car, Cops Say.”