Cedar Grove Hit and Run: Little Falls Man Allegedly Struck Fire Hydrant and Drove Across Lawn, Police Say

Cedar Grove police arrested a Little Falls man who allegedly drove his car across a lawn while intoxicated on Sunday, authorities said.

According to police, officers responded to Loretta Drive on a report of a hit and run car crash around 7:30 p.m. A witness on the scene told the officers that they saw a dark-colored pickup truck hit a fire hydrant, drive across a lawn and then flee the area.

While conducting an area search, officers found a vehicle matching the description - with body damage allegedly consistent with the crash - in a driveway on Loretta Drive in Little Falls, police said.

Officers made contact with the residents and identified Michael J. Sturm, 48, of Little Falls, as the person who was reportedly operating the vehicle. While speaking to Sturm, officers allegedly detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath along with signs of impairment.

A subsequent investigation resulted in Sturm’s arrest on charges of driving while intoxicated, driving with suspended and expired NJ driving privileges, leaving the scene and failing to report a motor vehicle crash, and failing to install an ignition interlock device when required.

Strum was processed on all charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.