Crime & Safety

Update: Driver in Route 79 Accident Issued DWI Summons

Minor injuries were reported after the one car accident

A red 2009 Chevy Malibu flipped over and knocked down a street light and cable and phone lines on Route 79, near the bend where the road changes from Main Street to Freneau Avenue in Matawan on Tuesday night around 6 p.m.

According to Matawan Borough Fire Department Deputy Chief Peter Berliner, the driver, identified as Dennis Platek, 50, of Freehold Township, was already out of the car and leaning against a police car when the fire department arrived on the scene.

He was transported to the hospital for minor injuries and observation, Berliner said. According to Matawan Police Lt. Ben Smith, Platek was arrested by Officer Andrew Marsala and issued summons for driving while intoxicated, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and reckless driving.

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The exact cause of the accident is unknown, and despite earlier reports of a second car possibly being involved, Lt. Smith said it was a one car accident.

The involved section of Route 79 was closed from the New Brunswick Avenue intersection to the point of the accident while JCP&L and Verizon reported to the scene to fix the downed wires. Traffic was detoured by Matawan Borough Fire Police until the accident was cleared, which caused heavy delays in the area.

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During this time, a second accident occured when a Jaguar turning into the Philly Cheesesteak USA parking lot and a Camaro driving on New Brunswick Avenue collided.

There were no injuries reported in the second accident, according to emergency personnel on the scene.


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