PARSIPPANY — Mr. Gregory C. DiGiosaffatte, 45, Wayne, was traveling in a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee on Route 46 West from Fairfield Township, on Saturday, March 2 at 10:49 a.m.
Concerned motorists observed Mr. DiGiosaffatte driving in a reckless manner prompting numerous calls to 911.
Police said “From video obtained on the scene from a witness, the Jeep is observed driving west into Parsippany. Just before the intersection of New Road and Route 46, the Jeep was observed crossing over the center median on Route 46 West and traveling west, in the east-bound lane of travel.”
Once at the intersection of New Road, the vehicle is observed on the video going through a red light and moving back into the westbound lane traveling west.
Just after crossing New Road, the vehicle is observed striking the concrete center divider, continuing to drive westward.
As the vehicle continued, the vehicle continued swerving on numerous occasions back into the center median and the left lane.
The vehicle finally came to a stop after striking the chain link fence on the center median of Route 46 in front of Wendy’s (at Arlington Plaza) at which point the video ended as the car spun around coming to a complete stop. Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Pasquale Parisi and Wandely Torres arrived at the scene, along with officers from Montville Township and Fairfield.
It should be noted a metal signpost was lodged in the vehicle and the post was observed sticking out of the vehicle during the entire video as it drove through Montville into Parsippany. The post was near where Mr. DiGiosaffatte was sitting and came close to causing serious injury to him.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Andy Sadowski reported Mr. DiGiosaffatte appeared impaired while traveling through Parsippany and crashing into the fence. Due to suspected injury, he was transported to Morristown Medical Center, along with Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Parisi, where blood and urine were drawn through a McNeely warrant and results are pending. Mr. DiGiosaffatte appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic at the time of the crash. Upon release from Morristown Medical Center, Mr. DiGiosaffatte was transported to Parsippany Police Headquarters. Once at headquarters, he was processed without incident.
Gregory C. DiGiosaffatte was issued two summons, Possession of a controlled dangerous substance (2C:35-10A(1)) and under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance (2C:35-10B(1). In addition, he was issued the following motor vehicle summons: Driving while intoxicated (39:4-50), Failure to Observe a Traffic Signal (39:4-81), Unsafe Lane Change (39:4-88), License, registration certificate and insurance identification not in possession (39:3-29c), Careless Driving (39:4-97), Reckless Driving (39:4-96) and Possession of CDS (39:4-49.1)
The 2023 Jeep was towed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
