3 Hospitalized In Suspected Drunk Driving Crash In Ridgewood: Police

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A driver of a car that hit a tree, leaving him and two passengers hospitalized, appeared to be under the influence, according to authorities.

Jason Lopez was traveling north Friday on Lincoln Avenue in Ridgewood when his Honda car left the road and struck a tree head on, leaving him and two passengers with multiple injuries — some serious. He is suspected of driving while intoxicated, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

Lopez, 39, of Wayne, had the odor of alcohol emanating from his person at the scene of the 1:40 a.m. crash, and from his breath about two hours later at the hospital when an officer was talking with him. A large, partially drank bottle of Hennessy was also found in the vehicle, an affidavit said.

The two passengers — friends of Lopez's — appeared to not have seatbelts on, and were sent to an area hospital with several injuries that included, to one, a broken femur and multiple broken ribs, and a compound lower leg fracture; and, to the other, a sacral fracture, a liver laceration and renal hematoma, a complaint said.

The road where the crash occurred curves to the right, yet Lopez, the driver, continued straight ahead into a treed area, an affidavit said.

Lopez was charged with assault by auto resulting in serious bodily injury while driving intoxicated. He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, failure to maintain lane, and possession of an open alcoholic beverage container, the prosecutor's office said.

The Wayne man awaits an initial court appearance.