DUI on Blackhorse Lane Monday Night; 3-Year-Old in the Car, Police Say

South Brunswick, NJ - A South Brunswick man was arrested and charged with DUI after a crash Monday night at 7:45 p.m. on Blackhorse Lane. He hid a bottle of Fireball whiskey under the driver's side carpet and his 3-year-old son was in the back of the car at the time, police said.

The crash involved a collision between a grey Honda CR-V, driven a 35-year-old Dayton woman, and a silver Dodge NXT, driven by Manan Patel, 39, of Monmouth Junction. The cars were in the middle of Blackhorse Lane Monday evening.

Patel was attempting to turn right off Deans Lane onto Blackhorse Lane when he crossed over a double yellow line and stuck the other vehicle head on, police said.

Officer Timothy Hoover was at the scene and began questioning Patel about the crash. Officer Hoover said he smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the car, and Patel was slurring his words as he was speaking with him. Patel told Officer Hoover that he was not looking where he was driving because he was turned around, attempting to give candy to his 3 -ear-old son who was in the back seat. Patel told Hoover that he drank two Corona beers and two shots of Fireball whiskey prior to driving with his 3-year-old in his vehicle. Patel also admitted that he hid a bottle of Fireball whiskey under the driver’s side carpet after the crash occurred, police said.

Patel failed several standardized field sobriety tests at the crash scene. He was arrested and transported to police headquarters. Patel’s 3 year-old son did not suffer any injuries from the crash and was turned over to a family member at the scene.

Patel was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and endangering the welfare of a child. His vehicle was impounded and he was also issued numerous motor vehicle summonses. Patel was released pending his first court appearance.

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