Police Officer Tipped Off to Alleged Drunk Driver

A Chatham Borough Police patrolman was tipped off to an alleged drunk driver as he finished responding to a motor vehicle accident on Thursday, according to a statement released Friday.

Patrolman Daniel Walsh responded Thursday to a two-car crash on Main Street near Lafayette Avenue at about 2:50 p.m., police said.

He found that a 2002 Jaguar driven by Joan Marrin, 59, of Springfield, had stopped to turn left into the CVS parking lot when she was struck from behind, according to the police statement.

The car that struck Marrin was a 2011 Volkswagen driven by Katherin Hager, 20, of Berkeley Heights, police said. There were no injuries, both vehicles were towed from the scene and Hager was issued a summons for careless driving, according to police.

As Walsh was completing his investigation, a passing motorist advised him of a possibly intoxicated driver in a BMW that was seen driving from Livingston into Chatham, police said.

Walsh was able to locate the vehicle and eventually stopped it on Main Street in Madison, according to police.

The driver of the BMW, Hella Nahas, 34, of Watchung, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, police said.

Walsh performed field sobriety tests and arrested Nahas, according to police. She was taken to headquarters for breath testing, was processed and released to a friend pending further court actions, police said.

Nahas was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and having a cracked windshield.

For questions about this blotter, email Laura.Silvius@Patch.com.