By: Richard L. Smith
Wayne Police Officers handling a separate incident on Black Oak Ridge Road were alerted to a crash by a loud noise.
They witnessed a white SUV colliding with an electrical box at the intersection with Ratzer Road and then fleeing the scene, driving south in the northbound lanes of Route 23.
Recognizing the grave risk to oncoming motorists, Wayne Police Officers took strategic positions along the highway to stop the vehicle and alert other drivers.
Wayne Police officials said despite their efforts, including Officer Anthony Halko's attempts to gain the wrong-way driver's attention, the vehicle continued, narrowly avoiding head-on collisions.
Sergeant Erik Ferschman coordinated the response, instructing officers not to pursue into oncoming traffic and alerting New Jersey State Police.
The chase continued onto Route 80 westbound until the suspect exited onto Vreeland Avenue in Totowa, where he was eventually located by Sergeant Ferschman, attempting to hide in a parking lot.
The driver, identified as Jeison J. Pena-Peguero, 37, of Paterson, displayed signs of impairment and was arrested after failing sobriety tests.
Wayne officials said tests at the New Jersey State Police Totowa Barracks revealed his blood alcohol content to be over twice the legal limit.
Pena-Peguero faces charges including Second Degree Eluding, Driving While Intoxicated, and Reckless Driving, among other offenses, marking a swift end to a perilous episode on Wayne's roads.