PARSIPPANY — Patrol Officers E. Giordano, M. Kardos, D. Ross, Patrol Sergeant M. LaManna and Officers from the Denville Police Department responded to the area of Tabor Road and Hope Road for a report of a motor vehicle crash, on Friday, July 3 at 2:26 a.m.
Upon their arrival they observed an unoccupied overturned red 1998 Chrysler minivan in the middle of the roadway.
The officers conducted an area check for occupants, resulting in locating an intoxicated male individual, with visible signs of injury, hiding on a porch of a residence approximately 500 feet from the crash site. The individual provided his name to the officers, which later revealed to be false. He also falsely alleged that another occupant was in the vehicle that fled on foot after the crash resulting in an area search by the officers on scene and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. The search resulted negative for any other individuals. The male was transported to the St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville for his facial injuries.
While the investigation continued, the officers learned that the male’s true identity was discovered to be Mr. Michael Barbato, 48, Staten Island, New York.
The investigation revealed that Mr. Barbato was the driver of the vehicle and there were no other occupants. Mr. Barbato was issued summonses for Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Driving with a Suspended License, Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. He was also charged criminally for Hindering Apprehension/False Identification. The vehicle was towed from the scene and its owner notified. Mr. Barbato was released at the hospital to an acquaintance, pending his charges and court appearance.
