Crime & Safety
Man Grabs Steering Wheel, Causes Crash That Closed Rt. 17: Police
Paul Jayne, Jr. 36, argued with the driver about work and grabbed the wheel of the Chevrolet Tahoe he was in, causing it to crash: Police.
MAHWAH, NJ — A South Jersey man caused the motor vehicle crash that closed part of Route 17 for an hour early Wednesday morning, police said.
Paul Jayme Jr., 36, of Neptune, argued with and punched the driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe he was riding in, said Police Chief James Batelli. Jayme pulled the steering wheel, causing the Tahoe to swerve off the roadway, strike a utility pole and stopped against a concrete barrier, the chief said.
The damaged pole caused power lines to fall across Route 17 North. The highway was closed for about an hour after the crash, Batelli said.
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The driver, Walter Jarvis, 35, of Asbury Park, got out of the Chevy following the crash and called 911 from a nearby Valero gas station. Officers found him there and took him back to the crash scene, Batelli said.
Jayme was charged with assault, assault by auto, driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving, Batelli said. Jarvis was charged with driving with a suspended license. Both men were released after being charged.
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Photo: Paul Jayme Jr., 36, of Neptune/Mahwah Police Department
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