Drunk Driver Claims to Speak Only French, Gets Arrested for DWI, Hindering Apprehension

A few weeks ago, a drunk driver had a heck of an excuse for a Morris Township police officer. Just after 3:00 AM on April 27, an officer observed Damion Prashad fail to observe a traffic signal while driving a blue 2013 Volkswagen. When the officer pulled over the vehicle, Mr. Prashad claimed to only speak French. However, a French-speaking officer arrived on the scene and quickly deduced that Mr. Prashad was not being truthful about his Francophone status.

Mr. Prashad was arrested and taken to the Morris Township Police Department, where he failed a Breathalyzer test.

A host of charges followed, including driving while intoxicated (DWI), reckless driving, and hindering apprehension.

In New Jersey, the penalties for a first-time DWI conviction are strict and mandatory. DWI offenses are codified under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, and a conviction for first offense DWI can lead to a sentence of up to 30 days in county jail.

Hindering apprehension is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3, which prohibits a person from knowingly giving to law enforcement false information. In this case, Mr. Prashad’s hindering will probably be classified as a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to six (6) months in county jail.

For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled “Drunken Driver Told Police He Only Spoke French, Morris Township Cops Say.”

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