An allegedly drunk Elizabeth man was arrested after leading Roselle Park police in a pursuit and ultimately causing a multi-vehicle crash in Elizabeth.
Roselle Park Police was alerted by a concerned citizen of an erratic driver, which was reported to be traveling in the opposite lanes of travel on W. Westfield Avenue near Gordon Street, heading towards Elizabeth shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 10th.
The vehicle - which was described as a black, four door, Honda - was located by police on Westfield Avenue and Chestnut Street as they attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver of the vehicle quickly accelerated and refused to stop for police nearly striking several parked cars and swerving in and out of its lane.
Police lost sight of the vehicle and terminated the pursuit on Westfield Avenue and Elmora Avenue in Elizabeth.
After checking the immediate area for the vehicle, officers discovered a motor vehicle accident on Westfield Avenue and Orchard Street in Elizabeth involving the Honda and three other vehicles.
Investigation revealed that the Honda rear ended an S.U.V. at the red light, rolled both vehicles and struck two other parked vehicles.
The driver of the S.U.V. - only identified as a 40-year-old Elizabeth resident - was trapped in the vehicle and extricated by police.
He was transported to the hospital with reports of neck and back pain.
The driver of the Honda, Danilo Rodriguez-Benitez, 25, of Elizabeth, was captured on foot one block west of the accident, as he attempted to flee the accident scene and police.
He was transported to the hospital with minor facial injuries and then ultimately to Roselle Park Police Department where he was formally charged with eluding police (2nd degree) bail was set at $75,000. He was also issued numerous traffic summons to include driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated in a school zone, reckless driving and unlicensed driver.
Rodriguez-Benitez was lodged in the Union County Jail.