A Metuchen man was charged with driving while intoxicated after causing a five-car crash that shut down the Holland Tunnel yesterday afternoon, police said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Kauri Qualls, Jr., 22, of Metuchen, was charged with DWI, refusing to submit to a field sobriety test, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, having no front license plate and improper passing/lane change, according to Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo.
Yesterday around 12:50 p.m., Port Authority police stationed at the Holland Tunnel responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident inside the south tube of the Holland Tunnel heading toward New York City.
Eyewitnesses reported that a driver who had caused an accident, where several autos were struck and damaged, was attempting to flee the scene, authorities said.
Port Authority police arrived on foot, as traffic in the tunnel was stopped due to the accident. They interviewed the suspect and noted his eyes were bloodshot and watery, as well as that his speech was slurred, officials said.
The suspect’s 1999 grey Honda Civic was still in drive and propped up on the back bumper of a 2016 Chevrolet SUV, so police removed the keys from the ignition.
Qualls refused a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest. Five vehicles, including the driver’s Civic, were involved in the accident, authorities said.
Besides the two already mentioned, there was also a 2015 Ford Fusion, a 2015 Cadillac SRX and a 2011 Toyota damaged and still on scene, police said.
The south tube of the tunnel was closed from 12:56 p.m. until 1:20 p.m. while the accident was being cleaned up. All parties at the scene refused medical attention, officials said.
Let me get this straight. This guy’s car went crazy and hit four other cars and the police took his keys out of the ignition when it got stuck under another car? 1. Maybe the problem was with the CAR and instead of tampering with the evidence the police should have LISTENED to him?? 2. Maybe it would have hit MORE cars and he would have had a WORLD RECORD if the police didn’t ruin it?? Come on!!