Crime & Safety

Driver Flees Police, Crashes Into Swamp, Charged With DUI

A Morristown woman was charged with DUI and having an open container of alcohol after leading Bedminster Police on a chase on Friday.

BEDMINSTER, NJ — A Morristown woman was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and multiple other offenses after fleeing from Bedminster Police on Friday.

At around 1:04 a.m., Bedminster Police reported a silver Buick LeSabre drove past them on Route 202/206 northbound at the Verizon Switching station and the driver didn't signal a proper lane change and had tinted front windows.

Police pulled over the car driven by Amirah Barnes, 33, of Morristown on Route 206 northbound at Somerset Financial Drive.

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During the stop Barnes reportedly refused to get out of the car and drove. Police chased after her until Harding Twp. off of Route 202 when her car jumped a cement curb and went down an embankment into a wet swamp area where it got stuck, Bedminster Police said.

Barnes, was arrested for eluding second-degree, possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS), driving under the influence and was issued motor vehicle summonses for obstruction of windshield, failure to give proper signal, failure to obey traffic signal, reckless driving, careless driving, DWI on school property or within 1,000 feet of school, having an open container of alcohol, operation of motor vehicle while in possession of CDS and traffic on marked lanes.

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Barnes was lodged in Somerset County Jail.

Other Bedminster Police Blotter items:

On Feb. 21 at 12:31 a.m.: Bedminster Police responded to Guttenberg Police and took over custody of Desire Trowell. Trowell, 34, of Jersey City was arrested on a Bedminster warrants totaling $500. Trowell was
lodged in Somerset County Jail in lieu of bail.

On Feb. 21 at approximately 6:43 p.m.: While observing traffic on Route 202/206 northbound at the Verizon Switching station, Bedminster Police observed a red Hyundai Elantra drive past with an obstructed front windshield because of a navigation mount as well as several objects hanging from the rear view mirror.
A motor vehicle stop was conducted at the entrance to AT&T just off of Route 202/206 northbound.
Subsequent to the investigation, Alex Brady, 26, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania was arrested for possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Brady was also issued motor vehicle summonses for maintenance of lamps, obstruction of windshield, failure to give proper signal and operation of motor vehicle while in possession of CDS.

On Feb. 24 at approximately 4 a.m.: Bedminster Police took over custody of Justin Rey from New Jersey State Police. Justin Rey, 28, of Paterson was arrested on a warrant out of Bedminster for $550. Rey
was lodged in Somerset County Jail in lieu of bail.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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