Passaic County officials announced that based upon an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ringwood Police Department, Derrick Valerio, 33, of Yonkers, New York, was arrested on July 6, in connection to a motor vehicle crash that took place on June 5, on the Greenwood Lake Turnpike near the intersection of Stonetown Road in Ringwood.
According to county officials, Mr. Valerio was charged with third-degree Assault by Auto and fourth-degree Assault by Auto. He was arrested without incident at the Ringwood Police Department.
Passaic County officials said that on June 5, Mr. Valerio was driving a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the wrong direction on the Greenwood Lake Turnpike when he collided with a 2003 Infiniti I35.
According to Passaic County officials, the Infiniti I35 was being operated by Mr. Kevin Schaeffer, 19, of Hewitt, and was also occupied by Ms. Riley Lindholm, 22, of Rock Hill, New York.
County officials said that Mr. Schaeffer was not injured in the crash, but Ms. Lindholm was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack where she received treatment for serious injuries.
According to county officials, Mr. Valerio was transported to Chilton Medical Center in Pequannock, where he received treatment for minor injuries.
The subsequent investigation revealed that at the time of the crash, Mr. Valerio was under the influence of alcohol and was traveling 106 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone.
Following his arrest, Mr. Valerio was released pending further court proceedings.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact them on their tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or contact the Ringwood Police Department at (973) 962-7017.