Drunk Driver Fled Accident Scene: Washington Township Police

LONG VALLEY, NJ - A Washington Township Police officer ended one traffic stop to start another, which led to a slew of drunk driving related charged for a 28-year-old Hamburg man.

A Washington Township Police officer was conducting a motor vehicle stop on Route 46 West in the area of Hackettstown Honda on Oct. 11 when he noticed another vehicle traveling west on Route 46 in the eastbound lane, head-on to the oncoming traffic, authorities said.

The officer quickly terminated the stop and proceeded after the suspect vehicle – which was traveling on a flat front tire – was eventually stopped on Route 46 West bound near the intersection of East Avenue, police said.

The driver, Shawn Hirschel, was driving while intoxicated he was taken into custody and transported to Washington Township Police Headquarters, police said. Hirschel was charged with:

• Driving While Intoxicated
• Reckless driving
• Failure to keep right
• Wrong way on a one way street
• Failure to submit breath samples
• Failure to maintain lane
• Failure to report a motor vehicle crash
• Leaving the scene of a crash

Hirschel was processed and released to a responsible adult pending court at the Washington Township Municipal Court.

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