An East Orange man driving with an open tequila bottle in the passenger seat, who also had bloodshot eyes and slowed speech, was charged with driving while intoxicated in Weehawken, police said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Clifton J. Crosby, 30, of East Orange, was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, open container in an auto, being an unlicensed driver and driving without headlights, according to Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo.
At about 3:30 am today, Port Authority Police Officer Richard Pawlicki saw the suspect driving a 2016 Hyundai westbound in the toll plaza of the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken, authorities said.
The Elantra was being driven without headlights, Pawlicki signaled for the suspect to pull over and stop in a safety zone, officials said.
The suspect complied, but failed to put the Hyundai in Park and instead placed it in reverse and moved the vehicle backward until the officer shouted for the suspect to stop the car, police car.
Crosby finally complied and put the car in park. When speaking to the suspect, the officer noted that the suspect smelled of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and red, his speech slow and halting, authorities said.
He told Pawlicki he did not have a license and an open bottle of Tequila Reserve 1800 Silver was on the passenger side floor of the suspect’s car, officials said.
Crosby was the sole occupant of the car and his driver’s license was suspended. The suspect got out of the car and swayed having difficulty maintaining his balance, police said.
He also failed a blood alcohol content test. His car was impounded and he was then was arrested, authorities said.
