Two Men Charged In Sparta Crash Injuring Pregnant Woman

Two men involved in a July car accident that injured a pregnant woman have been charged, according to a the Sparta Detective Bureau.

According to the Sparta police, Joshua M. Buttacavole of Lodi was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailbazer northward on Route 15 on July 19 when he lost control, rolled over a median, and hopped to the southbound side, and crashed into pregnant Melissa D. Scevola's 2012 Jeep Liberty. Scevola, 36 and six months pregnant last July, had broken bones and lacerations, but no harm was done to her fetus. According to the police, the pregnancy seemed not to have been affected.

According to the investigation, Buttacavole was driving recklessly just before the incident. Buttacavole has been charged one count of Assault By Auto (Fourth Degree Crime), for injuries to Scevola, and a second count of Assault By Auto (Disorderly Persons Offense), for injuries to his passenger, Nicholas N. Baya.

Police said that Buttacavole has also been charged with Making False Statements To Authorities (Fourth Degree Crime) and Obstruction (Fourth Degree Crime). His passenger, 20-year-old Nicholas N. Baya was charged with Hindering (Fourth Degree Crime). Their processing and court dates are pending.

In an unrelated incident, a Jefferson man was arrested for DWI and drug offenses after a one-car car accident at about 2:46 AM, according to the police. Sparta patrols were dispatched in the area of 397 Main Street for a one-car motor vehicle accident involving a telephone pole. Official reports stated that 21-year-old Chase E. Wainstein from Jefferson crashed into the pole while driving a 2013 Toyota Camry. A plastic baggie in his pocket containing various drugs was found, according to officials. Wainstein was charged criminally with Possession Of Two Strips Of LSD (Third Degree Crime), Possession Of Under 50 Grams Of Marijuana (Disorderly Persons Offense), and Possession Of A Prescription Legend Drug Without A Valid Prescription (Fourth Degree Crime). He was also charged with motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure To Maintain Lane, Possession Of CDS In A Motor Vehicle and Failure To Notify Change Of Address. His court date is pending.

Image via Sparta Police Department