Man flees auto accident

Also: DWI arrest, had ‘multiple open containers’

A man was caught and arrested by police after fleeing the scene of a two-vehicle crash at 5:43 p.m. on January 16 on the 200 block of N. White Horse Pike (Route 30), Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said. (THG/Kristin Guglietti. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.)

HAMMONTON—A man was caught and arrested by police after fleeing the scene of a two-vehicle crash at 5:43 p.m. on January 16 on the 200 block of N. White Horse Pike (Route 30), Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said.

“There was a two-car vehicle collision which caused one of the cars to go off the road and overturn,” Friel said.

According to the report from Friel, vehicle number one collided with the rear left portion of vehicle number two, causing vehicle number two to run off the roadway and overturn.

The driver of vehicle number one left the area on foot heading toward Old Forks Road, Friel said.

Friel said the driver and passenger of vehicle number two were taken via ambulance to Jefferson Hospital Washington Twp.

Subsequent to the accident, police were able to locate the driver of vehicle number one on Old Forks Road and he identified himself as Arnulfo Santiago, 47, of Hammonton, the driver of the vehicle that started the collision, Friel said.

Officer John Amendolia III detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from Santiago’s person, Friel said. He was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with the following: driving while under the influence, leaving the scene of the accident with personal injury, failure to report an accident, careless driving, reckless driving, unlicensed driver, uninsured vehicle, fictitious plates, unregistered vehicle and open container of alcoholic beverage in the vehicle, Friel said.

Friel said the subject was released as per John’s Law pending court in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court.

Amendolia was the investigating and arresting officer, Friel said.

Also, at 9:45 p.m. on January 14, in the area of Park Avenue and S. Egg Harbor Road, a man was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol (DWI), Friel said.

Officer Travis Hoffman was patrolling and observed a vehicle coming eastbound on S. Egg Harbor Road in the westbound lane of travel, Friel said.

Friel said the vehicle was stopped by Hoffman on S. Egg Harbor Road and he identified the driver as Edwin Ramirez, 26, of Hammonton.

“While speaking with the driver, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The driver observed multiple open containers of beer on the floor of the vehicle,” Friel said.

Ramirez was placed under arrest, transported to headquarters and charged with the following violations: careless driving, driving while under the influence, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, unregistered vehicle, uninsured vehicle, unlicensed driver and open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, Friel said.

He was released as per John’s Law pending a court appearance in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court, Friel said.