Intoxicated NJ Man Abandoned Child After Crashing Into Mailbox: Police

WAYNE, NJ — A Passaic County man is facing charges after police said he drove a car with a child inside while intoxicated, crashed the vehicle into a mailbox and later abandoned the child before fleeing the scene.

Seyon Rodriguez, 39, of Pompton Lakes, was charged with multiple counts, including driving under the influence, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child and reckless driving following the April 24 incident, Wayne police said in a news release.

According to police, officers responded to Terhune Drive and Alder Avenue shortly after 2:50 p.m. after receiving a call about a car that left the roadway and crashed into a mailbox. Witnesses reported the driver fled the scene, had a child in the car and appeared to be intoxicated.

Police said the driver, later identified as Rodriguez, stopped his car near Noreen Lane and crawled under the vehicle to remove something stuck in the undercarriage. As he did, police said bystanders rescued the child, who was in the front seat without a child safety seat.

According to police, Rodriguez got into the car and fled without the child.

Later, police learned of a second crash near Oakland and responded to the scene. When they arrived, police said they found Rodriguez, who failed sobriety tests and was arrested at the scene.

The child was turned over to an adult family member who was contacted by police.

Rodriguez was taken to Passaic County Jail to await a detention hearing. He was also charged with assault by auto, refusal to submit to a chemical breath test, failure to use a child safety seat, leaving the scene of an accident and careless driving, police said.