'Inexcusable': DWIs Have Doubled This Summer In Gloucester Township, Police Chief Says

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Police in Gloucester Township say they've encountered an increasing number of intoxicated drivers this summer — a trend that Chief David Harkins called inexcusable.

Between Memorial Day and Monday, Township police conducted 20 DWI arrests, Harkins told Patch. The agency made 10 arrests for the offense during that span last year (Memorial Day through Aug. 7, 2022).

The recent DWI incidents include a driver swerving off the road and hitting an unmarked police vehicle in front of the township's police headquarters, authorities said.

Additionally, a member of the township community died after an intoxicated driver ran a red light and hit his vehicle in Washington Township, police said. The victim — identified as Frank J. Bersani, 56, of Laurel Springs — was a well-known employee at Cotardo's Italian Restaurant, serving as general manager.

Related articles:

• Driver Hits Car At Gloucester Township Police Station, Gets DWI: Cops
• 1 Dead After Intoxicated Driver Runs A Red In South Jersey Crash: Cops
• Fatal Crash Victim Was A Beloved Gloucester Twp. Restaurant Employee

"This disturbing trend is inexcusable in this era of available ride share services," Harkins said in a statement. "We are very lucky that no officers or citizens were injured by this drunk driver crashing into our parking lot. We will be re-doubling our efforts to combat drunk and/or drugged driving."

For info on preventing intoxicated driving, police shared webpages from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the state division of highway safety. If you're on the road and see a suspected intoxicated driver, call 911 immediately.

"You just may prevent a tragedy and save lives," the Gloucester Township Police Department said.