YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A driver was drunk when he plowed his car through a vacant storefront at the Bi-State Plaza Shopping Center on Friday, Old Tappan Police Chief Thomas M. Shine said this afternoon.
Samir S. Patel, 45, who is from Kennesaw, GA but has an address in Old Tappan, was behind the wheel of a green 2002 Honda SUV that careened through the vacant space of what once was a McDonalds around 4 p.m. Friday, Shine said.
The car crashed through a wall and came to rest inside the Valley Paint & Decorating store, the chief said.
Responding Patrol Officers Christopher Reilly and Kathryn Weaver attended to Patel, was conscious but trapped, Shine said.
They removed the keys from the ignition while waiting for firefighters to cut him out because of live electrical wires around the car, he said.
Patel’s breath smelled of alcohol, his eyes were watery and bloodshot and he “was not sure what had just taken place,” Shine said.
Officers Jason Rothenburger and Joshua Phykitt immediately found no one else injured, he said. A single employee was in the paint store, the chief said.
Firefighters and members of the Old Tappan First Aid Corp. took care of the extrication and medical assistance for injuries.
Orange & Rockland Electric responded in order to safeguard the victim and emergency services workers.
Patel was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center in police custody.
He was medically released and charged with DWI and reckless driving while also being issued several summonses for failing to stop, making an improper turn, driving on the sidewalk at excessive speed, violating touring privileges as an out-of-state resident and failing to produce proof of either registration or insurance, Shine said.
A Sept. 3 Municipal Court hearing was scheduled.