PARSIPPANY — The driver, identified as James Duva, 54, told the officer he swerved to avoid hitting a deer. The officer suspected Duva was intoxicated and asked him to step out of his vehicle to perform field sobriety tests, which he failed, according to police.
Around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, September 23, a Sparta Police Officer was patrolling Route 181 in the area of Mara Boulevard when she observed a black Ford that was off the roadway and into a telephone pole. She observed a male attempting to restart the vehicle, according to police reports.
Duva was charged with driving while under the influence, driving while suspended, careless driving, unlicensed driver and a criminal charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended license due to a prior driving while intoxicated charge.
Duva was placed under arrest for drunken driving and transported to police headquarters for processing. His vehicle was removed from the woods and impounded.
After completion of breath testing, Duva was found to have warrants out of Parsippany for $500 and Sparta for $680. He was given new dates for the warrants and for the new charges.
After complaining of shoulder pain, Duva requested transport to Newton Medical Center. He was released to his son at the hospital.
