Nitrous Oxide Containers Found After Crash, Cops Say

An Andover man was arrested Sunday after Hackettstown Police found dozens of nitrous oxide-related containers and equipment, Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

Police responded to Sharp Street for a report of a motor vehicle crash and found a parked car near a municipal lot with front-end damage, Tynan said. Police found Matthew Cole, 20, and learned the driver had travelled north through the lot, crossed Sharp Street and hit a parked car, Tynan said. As a result of the impact, the parked vehicle was pushed and collided into a house porch, Tynan said.

Officers suspected Cole was under the influence of heroin when speaking with him, Tynan said. Cole failed field sobriety tests, Tynan said.

Police then found Cole to be in possession of a nitrous oxide “cracker,” 32 unused nitrous oxide canisters and 48 EZ Whip nitrous oxide canisters, Tynan said.

Cole was charged with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of toxic chemicals, driving while under the influence and driving while suspended.

The Hackettstown Rescue Squad assisted at the scene.

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