Crime & Safety

South Brunswick Police: Man Arrested For DUI, Drug Distribution

Daniel Saladyga from Ewing crashed his car at Sandhill Road, but was uninjured.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick police on Monday said they arrested a man from Ewing on DUI and drug distribution charges.

Police said they received a call around 9 a.m. on Sunday about a car crash at Sandhill Road. When Officer Gerald Sarno reached the site, he said he found a 1999 Lexus crashed head-on into the divider at the intersection.

The driver, Daniel Saladyga, from Ewing was sitting on the grassy shoulder of the road, uninjured, said the police.

Find out what's happening in South Brunswickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

When speaking to Saladyga, Sarno said his eyes were glassy with pinpoint pupils, his diction slow, and his hands fumbling. Suspecting the driver was under the influence, Sarno said he gave Saladyga several field-side sobriety tests, which he failed.

Police said Saladyga was placed under arrest for DUI and when searched, a small amount of marijuana, and 112 bars of Xanax were found.

Find out what's happening in South Brunswickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Saladyga, 24, was transported to police headquarters where Detective Tim Hoover, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, performed a series of tests, determining that Saladyga was under the influence of a central nervous system depressant, said police.

“Impaired driving can happen at any time of the day. This driver was on Route 1, impaired, and struck the concrete median at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. Officer Sarno’s detailed investigation discovered the drugs and took this driver off the road. With thousands of cars and trucks using Route 1 daily, we are just lucky this crash wasn’t much worse,” Chief Raymond J. Hayducka said in a statement.

Saladyga was charged with possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of under 50 grams marijuana, unlawful possession of Xanax, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and other motor vehicle offenses, said the police.

He was lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center, pending bail hearing.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.