Teacher In Heroin-Influenced Hit-And-Run Accident: Police

By DANIEL HUBBARD (Patch Staff)

A Rockland County teacher was arrested following a hit-and-run accident that she caused while high on heroin over the Independence Day weekend, police said.

Police responded to a hit-and-run accident in Mahwah, NJ where residents said a vehicle hit a utility pole and left the scene, said Chief James Batelli.

While investigating the accident, Officer Thomas MItchell saw the vehicle, a 2015 blue Lexus station wagon, drive past the scene on its rims with two flat tires, parts missing, and damage consistent with the accident, Batelli said.

Police spoke with the driver, Jill Blau, 42, and administered field sobriety tests. The Mahwah resident was arrested at the scene. Blau had heroin, several types of narcotics, and drug paraphernalia in her possession, police said.

Blau, a teacher in the Clarkstown Central School District, was charged with possession of heroin, being under the influence of heroin, and several drug possession offenses and traffic violations, including leaving the scene of an accident, Batelli said.

Blau was scheduled to appear in Mahwah Municipal Court Tuesday.

PHOTO: Jill Blau, 42 / Courtesy of the Mahwah Police Department