An Asbury Park man was recently charged with driving under the influence (DUI), among other violations, after he allegedly crashed into a marked police car occupied by a patrolling officer.
According to Asbury Park Police Officer Michael Casey, 51-year-old Kenneth Johnson was driving a 2003 Ford F150 when he collided with a marked patrol car at the intersection of Atkins Avenue and Adams Street at approximately 11:50 p.m. on Sunday, February 1st.
The officer who was in the vehicle at the time, Patrolman Michael Boone, reportedly sustained a back injury as a result of the crash, after which he was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment. The officer remains on leave from work while he is recuperating.
As for Johnson, he was charged with driving under the influence, possession of open container of alcohol in his vehicle, failure to have a driver’s license in his possession, and driving without headlights on when required. Johnson’s blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the offense remains undisclosed; however, it will have significant implications for his sentencing if he is ultimately found guilty.
For example, in New Jersey, DWI and DUI offenses are differentiated by the number (if any) of previous offenses that the individual has committed previously, with increasingly severe penalties as the number of these offenses increases. Further, first offenses for DWI are separated into those involving a blood alcohol content of between 0.08% and 0.10% and those involving a BAC of 0.10% and above.
Overall, DWI and DUI offenses may result in a period of driver’s license suspension, financial penalties, program attendance at one of the State’s Intoxicated Driver Resource Centers (IDRC), and even a jail sentence. With this in mind, it is critical to an enlist an experienced defense attorney who can serve as your advocate throughout the legal process.
For additional information regarding this case, view the following article: Man charged with DUI after crash involving Asbury Park police car, authorities say