DWI Arrest For Sparta Man Parked On Lawn: Police

SPARTA, NJ - A 24-year-old Sparta man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after police found his car parked on a Richmond Hill Drive lawn on Dec. 15, according to the Sparta Township Police.

According to authorities, shortly after 1 a.m. Sparta patrols were dispatched to Richmond Hill Drive for a report of a car stuck on the front lawn.

The vehicle, a blue Chevrolet Cobalt, appeared to have left the roadway, striking a utility box and mailbox before coming to rest approximately 100 feet off of the roadway, police said. The driver, Shaun Tatka, was still sitting behind the wheel of the car when officers arrived and Officer Brian Porter had Tatka turn off the car and step out, police said.

Tatka was administered Field Sobriety tests and placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police Headquarters for processing, police said. Tatka was charged with:

• Driving While Intoxicated
• Consumption in a motor vehicle
• Open Container in a motor vehicle
• Careless Driving
• Failure to Inspect
• Failing to Keep Right

He was advised of a mandatory court appearance and released to a sober adult, police said.

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