N. Caldwell Father, Son Charged With Drunk Driving

A North Caldwell man and his 19-year-old son have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and several motor vehicle violations with more charges pending after a type of racing game resulted in both vehicles going off the roadway and striking trees in the wooded area where East Greenbrook Road ends at the T-bone intersection with Mountain Avenue.

According to North Caldwell Police Chief Mark Deuer, Michael Michura, 47, and his son, Joseph Michura, 19, have been charged with DUI, improper passing, speeding and reckless driving following the accident that sent both to the hospital along with Michael Michura's wife and two other teenage sons Sunday morning at about 1:15 a.m.

The family of five remained hospitalized Monday morning, Deuer said.

Joseph Michura, whose Audi struck a tree near the roadside of Mountain Avenue before catching on fire, suffered a compound femur fracture, while his mother has serious internal injuries that are still being diagnosed, Deuer said. The third passenger of the Audi, Joseph Michura's 17-year-old brother, suffered a broken back, Deuer said.

Michael Michura, whose Ford sedan traveled approximately 50 feet off the roadway before striking a tree, sustained minor injuries and facial lacerations, Deuer said. Michura's 14-year-old son, who was the lone passenger in his vehicle, also suffered minor injuries, Deuer said.

As first reported by The Caldwells Patch on Sunday, the family of five were driving to their home on Brookside Terrace in two vehicles from a friend's house in Fairfield, Deuer said.

Joseph Michura was driving an Audi with his mother and 17-year-old brother as passengers, while Michael Michura was driving a Ford sedan with his 14-year-old son in the car, Deuer said.

According to Deuer, both vehicles were heading eastbound along East Greenbrook Road, traveling more than the 40-mile-per-hour speed limit as one vehicle attempted to pass the other or were both driving side-by-side in a type of racing game as they approached the T-bone intersection with Mountain Avenue.

Neither of the drivers stopped at the intersection and proceeded across Mountain Avenue into the wooded area where each vehicle struck a tree, Deuer said.

When officers Michael Cristofano and Charles Krueser arrived at the scene, Michael Michura and his 17- and 14-year-old sons were out of the vehicles. However, Deuer said Joseph Michura and his mother were trapped inside the Audi, which was on fire.

While keeping the flames back with fire extinguishers, the officers were able to extricate both of the victims before the blaze spread, Deuer said.

According to Deuer, four of the victims were transported to Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson and one victim was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital. 

The police department is awaiting toxicology results from the New Jersey State Police laboratory to determine the two drivers' exact blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash, Deuer said.

Deuer said the two drivers, who did not have prior records, will likely face additional charges.