Man, 26, Drove Drunk And Caused 5-Car Rt. 3 Pileup: Secaucus Police

SECAUCUS, NJ — There was a five-car accident on Rt. 3 East in Secaucus on Nov. 11, which police say was caused by a drunk driver, who they arrested Tuesday of this week.

The accident happened at night on Nov. 11, 2022 in front of Bareli's restaurant: Responding Secaucus patrol cars located an overturned dump truck on its side on a service road in front of Bareli's.

Gravel had spilled into the parking lot.

Four additional vehicles were involved, including a 2006 Honda Accord that was found disabled across the main roadway of Rt. 3 east.

The driver of the Honda, identified as Cyrus Crayton, 26, of Bogota, was evaluated by EMS on scene for minor injuries. While at the scene, he exhibited signs of intoxication prompting police to issue a search warrant to test his blood, to determine his blood alcohol content.

It was later determined that Crayton was operating his motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit, said Secaucus Police.

Crayton told police he was initially traveling along Plaza Centre Road in Secaucus when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the curb(s) of Rt. 3 East, causing his vehicle to become disabled across the three left lanes.

The driver of the dump truck was unable to stop his fully loaded dump truck. He attempted to avoid the collision with Crayton's Honda Accord by swerving his truck to the right, where he hit another vehicle, a 2013 Chevy Malibu, before eventually overturning in the service road.

Two drivers, the dump truck driver and the driver of the Chevy Malibu, suffered injuries as a result of the collision.

“This arrest is just a representative example of the meticulous work the Secaucus Police Traffic Bureau, under the command of Lieutenant Martin Moreda, puts forth each day," Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. "I am thankful no serious injuries were sustained, but this crash reminds us that driving while intoxicated still possess a serious risk to the motoring public.”

Crayton was charged with two counts of Assault-by-Auto [2C:12-1c(2)], both fourth-degree crimes, Driving While Intoxicated [39:4-50] and Reckless Driving [39:4-96].

He was released on summonses pending his appearance in CJP Court.