Speeding Driver On Route 17 Forces Bergen County Woman's Car Into Snowbank: Cops

PARAMUS, NJ — A driver speeding on Route 17 crashed into a woman's car, forcing her to strike a snowbank and overturn — and landing her in the hospital, police said.

On Saturday just after 10 p.m., Paramus Police Officer Nicholas Tanelli saw a white Subaru WRX speeding southbound on Route 17 without its lights on, said Paramus police.

"The vehicle weaved in and out of lanes, cutting off other motorists in a reckless manner," said Police Chief Robert Guidetti.

Tanelli tried to stop the Subaru, but it sped up and tried to get away, police say. Then, the driver lost control and struck the rear of a white Hyundai Elantra.

The Hyundai left the road near the Garden State Plaza mall area, struck a snowbank, and overturned, police said.

The Hyundai driver, a 22-year-old woman from Carlstadt, injured her face and had to be extricated from the car. She was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment, police said. The extent of her injuries is unknown, police said.

The Subaru came to a stop near the crash scene.

Driver Steven Gonzalez, 23, of West New York, was arrested and charged with assault by auto, police said.

"The driver exhibited signs of being under the influence," police said.

A passenger in his car, a 22-year-old woman from the same town, said she had pain in her ribs and hip, but declined medical treatment.

Gonzalez was charged with:

• Eluding in a motor vehicle
• Aggravated assault while eluding
• Assault by auto
• Refusal to provide breath samples

He was also issued multiple motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving, improper lighting, and failure to obey traffic signals. He was then released on his own recognizance, police said.

"The Paramus Police Department reminds motorists that reckless driving and impaired driving place everyone on the roadway at risk and will be enforced aggressively," they said.