Driver Hits Cars, Flees Into River, Cops Say

A Colorado man fled a crash scene in Hackettstown Tuesday night after striking two parked cars, Hackettstown Police said.

Eric O’Loughlin, 41, was heading east on Route 57 in Hackettstown when he left the roadway and hit two parked cars in the Riverstar Diner parking lot, Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

Witnesses in the area said O’Loughlin fled the scene, first running into the diner, then into the Musconetcong River, and was subsequently captured in the Elastimold business parking lot on Schooley’s Mountain Road, Tynan said.

No injuries were reported, Tynan said.

O’Loughlin was charged with obstruction, uninsured motor vehicle, careless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and failure to report a crash.

Assisting at the scene was the Hackettstown Rescue Squad, Independence Township Police Department, Mansfield Township Police Department, Washington Township Police Department, and Morris County Sheriff K-9 Unit.

For questions about this post, email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.