Drunk Driving Crash Sparks Brush Fire In Long Valley, Police Say

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A drunk driving crash in Long Valley knocked down a utility pole, sparking two brush fires late last week, authorities said.

Crews responded to the area of Naughright Road, just south of Ranney Road, shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday after reports of a motor vehicle collision, according to Washington Township police.

Police arrived at the scene to find a car stopped in the roadway after apparently crashing into a utility pole and several street signs. Authorities said the impact snapped the utility pole in half, causing wires to spill across the roadway and surrounding areas.

The vehicle, driven by a Budd Lake resident, was left disabled in the roadway, police added.

Wires from the broken utility pole sparked two separate brush fires, which quickly spread along the shoulder of the road.

Additional crews were called in to extinguish the fires.

When police approached the vehicle, they suspected the driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol. After further investigation, officers determined the driver was operating under the influence and placed him under arrest.

The Budd Lake man, whose identity has not been released, was charged with DWI, issued several traffic summonses and released pending a court appearance, police said.