16-Year-Old Driver Crashes On N.J. Turnpike: Loaded Guns, Heroin Seized

State police recovered an loaded guns, drugs and other items this weekend after a 16-year-old driver crashed his car on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Brian Rodriguez, 18, and Jonathan Martinez, 24, both from Lawrence Township, and a 16-year-old male from Lawrenceville were arrested in Hamilton after fleeing a motor vehicle stop and crashing the car on Saturday.

At approximately 1:39 a.m., troopers observed a green Subaru Impreza traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Interstate 295 in the area of milepost 59.9, police said. The troopers, in a marked troop car, activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the car.

The driver refused to stop and continued at a high rate of speed.

The 16-year-old driver lost control and struck a traffic barrier, disabling the car in the area of interchange seven on the New Jersey Turnpike. All three occupants were placed under arrest. Neither the driver nor the occupants of the car sustained any injuries.

After the suspects were placed under arrest, troopers discovered two handguns loaded with hollow point bullets, marijuana, heroin, and drug paraphernalia inside the car.

The three suspects were charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of hollow point bullets, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and distribution of paraphernalia.

The 16-year-old male driver was also charged with DWI, police said.

Brian Rodriguez and Jonathan Martinez were lodged at the Burlington County Jail on a no bail warrant. The 16-year-old male was lodged in the Burlington County Youth Detention Center also on a no bail warrant.
Charges are mere accusations and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Photo: State Police