By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark, NJ, Police detective assigned to the city's Executive Protection Unit has been suspended without pay after being involved in a late-night alleged DWI incident that left three people injured -including himself- on a busy Middlesex County road.
The crash occurred on Route 1 near Old Post Road around 11:47 p.m. on Saturday.
According to information released to RLS Media by Deputy Chief Robert Dudash of the Edison Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of a collision with injuries.
Upon arrival, cops discovered two vehicles involved in the crash, one of which was driven by Mr. Marion Hinnant, who allegedly struck the other vehicle from behind. While the informaiton request from Edison Police did not seek Hinnant's law enforcemnt affiliation, a public record search by RLS Media revealved that he is a Newark Police detetctive and was not on duty.
Deputy Chief Dudash indicated that both drivers spoke with officers, and it became apparent that Hinnant might have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the conversation.
He was administered tests to determine his sobriety. Although Mr. Hinnant refused additional sobriety tests, the results ultimately revealed that he was under the influence. He was subsequently arrested,d Deputy Chief Dudash said.
Edison Police confirmed that he faces multiple charges, including Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), refusal to submit to sobriety tests, careless driving, and reckless driving.
It is not clear if Hinnant was in possession of his service weapon during the wreck.
The driver of the other vehicle and a passenger in Hinnant's car were taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputy Chief Dudash said Hinnant received treatment for an abrasion at the scene before being transported to police headquarters, where he was booked and given a court date.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.