PARSIPPANY — A 44-year-old Parsippany man was charged with driving while intoxicated after the United States Postal Service van he was operating struck a parked car and police found him unconscious behind the wheel on Sunday, September 20.
At approximately 2:21 p.m., Patrolman Robert Lenahan and Patrolman Kyratzis responded to the parking lot of 130 New Road for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving an unconscious driver. Upon arrival, officers spoke with David Cedrone, who stated his legally parked 2013 Honda Accord had been struck by a United States Postal Service van.
Patrolman Lenahan approached the driver’s side of the van and observed the driver, later identified as Abhijit S. Mokashi, unconscious in the driver’s seat with saliva coming from his mouth. After Patrolman Lenahan banged on the window, Patrolman Kyratzis entered the van through the open passenger side sliding door, and Mokashi was woken up. According to the police report, Mokashi appeared disoriented, and when asked to exit the vehicle, officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and observed his eyes to be red and watery. His speech was slow, and he had no recollection of being involved in a crash.
Members of the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad arrived to evaluate Mokashi, who refused medical assistance.
Patrolman Thomas Caccavale was called to the scene to administer Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. According to the report, Mokashi swayed and struggled to walk in a straight line, displayed six out of six clues on the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, seven out of eight clues on the walk and turn test, and three out of four clues on the one leg stand test. He was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated and transported to Police Headquarters for processing.
Because Mokashi was operating a government vehicle, Police Dispatch contacted his supervisor, who responded to the scene and took possession of the Postal Service van.
At Police Headquarters, Mokashi initially stated he would not submit to breath samples, but later agreed. After an invalid first sample, he provided two valid samples, and his blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.171 percent — more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Mokashi was issued the following summonses:
- Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50)
- Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96)
- Careless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-97)
- Failure to Maintain Lane (N.J.S.A. 39:4-88)
He was released to a family member and is scheduled to appear in Parsippany-Troy Hills Municipal Court on Thursday, October 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
