Police: Man charged with DWI after hitting parking cone, refusing to pull over

A man was charged with driving while intoxicated after hitting a parking cone and initially refusing to pull over for a Port Authority police officer outside the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City, officials said. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Andre Azor, 58, of Palisades Park, was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, open containers in a vehicle and failure to comply with police, according to Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo.

At about 5 a.m. yesterday morning, a Port Authority police officer was on patrol in Manhattan and saw a 2015 red Camaro enter the westbound entrance of the Holland Tunnel, authorities said.

At the tunnel entrance, the Camaro struck a parking cone separating the two inbound lanes, so the officer followed the vehicle and while traveling through the tunnel, the Camaro’s tires struck the wall curb on two occasions, police said.

He saw the Camaro cross the double solid white line, nearly striking the adjacent vehicle in the tunnel traveling the same direction, despite no obstruction in the roadway, officials said.

The Camaro exited the tunnel in Jersey City the officer activated his lights and sirens at 14th Street & Marin Boulevard, authorities said.

The officer then ordered the suspect to pull over, but he ignored the commands and at the Interstate 9 – 78 West ramp, the Camaro was caught in traffic, officials said.

The driver drove a short distance on the shoulder of the roadway before finally bringing the vehicle to a stop and the officer approached the driver’s side window of the Camaro, which was partially open, police said.

The officer noted the suspect’s eyes were glassy & red, as well as that there was a strong odor of alcohol from the vehicle ; there was the smell of alcohol about the suspect, authorities said.

As Azor spoke, he spit pieces of food on himself and on the officer, later volunteering that he was eating “nuts” and had consumed a few drinks, officials said.

Furthermore, a Tropicana cranberry juice bottle containing several limes and an alcoholic beverage was found behind the driver’s seat, as well as a mostly empty bottle of Bacardi rum, police said.

The suspect failed a field sobriety test and at first agreed, but then refused, a breathalyzer test. The suspect was placed under arrest, officials said.

The Port Authority police officer, Rhett Peppi, made his second DWI arrest in as many days.