Cops: Long Valley Man Allegedly Harassed Grave Visitors Before DWI Arrest

A Long Valley man was arrested over the weekend after police say he harassed cemetery visitors and then drove through bushes while intoxicated.

Just after 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, Officer Adam Feichter was dispatched to 132 Califon Road for a report of a man harassing people who were visiting graves at the cemetery, Lt. Doug Compton said.

The caller told police the man, later identified as Christopher Kurelja, 40, of Long Valley, was telling the visitors to leave and then drove to a private residence on Pleasant Grove Road through the hedgerow and onto the grass, never once reaching the roadway, Compton said.

The caller also told police the man appeared to be intoxicated, Compton said.

Feichter arrived on scene and located the vehicle in the driveway of the private residence, Compton said. The vehicle was still warm to the touch, Compton said.

Feichter then made contact with Kurelja, who exhibited signs of being intoxicated and was requested to complete standardized field sobriety tests, Compton said.

Kurelja was unable to complete the tests successfully and was placed under arrest.

He was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.

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