Date: July 7, 2009
From: Lieutenant Ryan Melsky
Agency: The Clinton Township Police Department
Motor Vehicle Crash with Injury
On Tuesday, June 30, at approximately 12:15 pm, Patrolman Lawrence Anthes was in his patrol vehicle, stopped for a red light on Payne Road facing east, at the intersection with Route 31 South. While stopped, Ptl. Anthes observed a 2008 Honda minivan operated by Janice Chauvette, age 43, of Clinton Township, which was previously stopped on Payne Road facing west, begin to cross over Route 31 on a red light. As the Chauvette vehicle crossed over the southbound lanes of Route 31, it was struck by a 2002 Honda CR-V operated by June Oliphant, age 44, of Belvidere, which was traveling south through the intersection on a green light. The Oliphant vehicle was then struck by a 2009 Freightliner tanker truck loaded with gasoline operated by Peter Hanson, age 51, of Freehold.
The airbags in the Chauvette vehicle deployed and it had to be towed from the scene. Ms. Chauvette was transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for chest pain. In addition, Abigail Chauvette, age 6 and Kyle Chauvette, age 4, both of Clinton Township, were shaken up and transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for evaluation.
The airbags in the Oliphant vehicle deployed and it too had to be towed from the scene. Ms. Oliphant was transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for chest pains and her passenger Dylan Oliphant, age 18, of Belvidere, was transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for a knee injury.
Mr. Hanson was uninjured and was able to drive his tractor-trailer from the scene.
Ptl. Anthes issued Ms. Chauvette motor vehicle summonses for Failure to Observe Traffic Signal and Careless Driving. The entire incident was recorded by Ptl. Anthes' in-car mobile video recorder (MVR).
Hindering Apprehension
On Sunday, June 28, at approximately 1:50 pm, Sergeant Thomas DeRosa stopped a vehicle operated by Rasool Baker, age 27, of Orange, on Route 22 near the Round Valley Access Road because the vehicle's third brake light was out. During the stop, Sgt. DeRosa observed two plastic cups containing alcoholic beverages in plain view.
Also during the stop, Mr. Baker first identified himself as "Ricky Burgman." When Sgt. DeRosa's laptop computer produced a DMV photo of the real Mr. Burgman, Sgt. DeRosa determined that they were two different people. Upon confronting Mr. Baker with this, he then identified himself as "Dominic Baker" but Dominic Baker's photo also did not match.
Mr. Rasool Baker was arrested and transported to police headquarters where his true identity was discovered. Sgt. DeRosa also located approximately $1,325.xx in motor vehicle warrants for Mr. Baker's arrest out of Newark but the Newark Police Department soon advised that it would not be responding to take custody of Mr. Baker. He was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Driving While Suspended, Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage in a Motor Vehicle, and Maintenance of Lamps and then released ROR.
Front seat passenger Michael Fleming, age 26, of Irvington, first identified himself as "Dawu Thompson." Once his true identity was discovered, Sgt. DeRosa charged Mr. Fleming with Hindering Apprehension and Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage in a Motor Vehicle. He was released ROR.
Backseat passenger and vehicle owner Angel Gantt, age and address unknown, identified both men by their aliases. Sgt. DeRosa charged Ms. Gantt with Opened Container and Allowing a Suspended Driver to Operate a Motor Vehicle. She was given a warning for Hindering Apprehension.
Warrant Arrests
On Sunday, June 28, at approximately 3:35 pm, Patrolman Michael Akers stopped a vehicle operated by Anthony Sharpe, age 18, of Jersey City, on Route 22 for having a loud muffler. During the stop, Ptl. Akers learned that Mr. Sharpe had a suspended driver's license and a $250.xx warrant for his arrest out of Irvington. Ptl. Akers issued Mr. Sharpe motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Suspended and Maintenance of Exhaust. When he was unable to post the necessary bail, Mr. Sharpe was transported to the Hunterdon County Jail. Also during the stop, Ptl. Akers learned that passenger Jose Benitez, age 19, of North Bergen, had a $100.xx warrant for his arrest out of North Bergen. He too was transported to the Hunterdon County Jail in default.
The filing of criminal charges is merely one step in the process of determining a person's guilt. All persons mentioned in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For more information, contact:
Clinton Township
1370 Route 31 North
Annandale, NJ 08801