Crime & Safety
Teen Driver Charged With DWI in Borough
Police said James M. Colbert had an open bottle of vodka in his car.
A 19-year old driver was charged with driving while intoxicated after he sped through Chatham Borough streets, according to Chatham Borough police.
Police said James M. Colbert, 19, of Florham Park, was driving a 2002 Ford Explorer on Coleman Avenue on Saturday Aug. 21 at a speed well above the posted speed limit of 25 mph. Police also said they observed the vehicle come to a stop at the intersection of Coleman Avenue and Weston Avenue even though there is no stop sign on Coleman Avenue.
Police said they attemped to stop the vehicle, but said Colbert did not pull over until he had reached an overpass over Route 24 on North Passaic Avenue. When they eventually stopped him, police said, he showed signs of intoxication. Police also said they found an open bottle of vodka in the car.
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Breath tests later confirmed Colbert was driving with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit, according to police.
Police charged Colbert with driving while intoxicated (underage), careless driving, reckless driving, open container in a vehicle and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
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He was released to a friend pending further court action.
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