Man Charged After Crash On Route 46 In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A Harrison man has been charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence after a serious crash on Route 46, police reported.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, the crash took place at 11:29 a.m. on Wednesday in front of the Fairfield Commons at 271 Rt. 46 West.

Officers arriving on the scene found a 2006 Nissan Altima that appeared to have left the roadway, flipped over and eventually righted itself, coming to a stop near the Horseneck Road overpass.

“Four witnesses to the crash allegedly told investigators that the Nissan was travelling west on Route 46 in an aggressive manner,” Fairfield police stated. “All stated that the Nissan was allegedly travelling well in excess of the posted speed limit of 50 MPH and was frequently making unsafe lane changes.’

Fairfield police and fire crews rescued the driver, Angelo Palacios-Rebaza, 19, after he was entrapped in the vehicle. Emergency responders treated Palacios-Rebaza for a severe laceration to his left arm as well as facial injuries, then transported him to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson.

Police found a satchel hanging around Palacios-Rebaza’s neck with suspected marijuana, a vape pipe and a grinder inside, authorities said.

Palacios-Rebaza was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle while under the influence and multiple motor vehicle offenses.

Traffic on Route 46 West was reduced to one lane for about 90 minutes after the crash, police said.

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