By: Tracie Carter
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 40-year-old Justin R. Latorre of Newark on charges of assault by auto following a motor vehicle accident on Route 3 West in Rutherford.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning, September 15, at approximately 5:12 a.m., when
Rutherford police responded to a collision between a 2022 Ford Ranger, driven by Latorre, and a 2018 Honda HRV.
Upon arrival, officers found that four occupants of the Honda were believed to have sustained injuries, though only three required medical treatment for varying degrees of injury.
During the initial investigation, officers arrested Latorre on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Due to the injuries and suspicion of impairment, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit was notified, and a joint investigation was launched.
Investigators determined that Latorre had attempted an illegal U-turn in the westbound lanes of Route 3, leading to the collision with the Honda HRV.
As a result, Latorre was charged with one count of third-degree assault by auto and two counts of fourth-degree assault by auto, along with related motor vehicle offenses, including driving while intoxicated.Latorre is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, pending his first court appearance.