Downtown Hoboken, New Jersey, was the scene of a DWI arrest this past Sunday following what could have easily been a deadly car chase between police and an allegedly intoxicated 23-year-old Bayonne man. Police reported that the suspect refused to pull over and then led them on a chase, which almost resulted in the fleeing driver hitting another vehicle.
By the time it was all over, police had charged Michael M. Leahey with resisting arrest, as well as eluding an officer. He also received summonses for several other offenses, including failure to obey a traffic signal, operating a vehicle the wrong way on a one-way street, driving while intoxicated and refusal to submit to a Breathalyzer test.
The incident began in the early morning hours, after police observed a vehicle headed the wrong way on Hudson Street — a one-way street. Police gave chase with lights and sirens on, but the man reportedly refused to pull his Buick over, instead turning onto First Street so fast that his vehicle briefly fishtailed before the driver regained control.
Despite having the police in full pursuit, Leahey continued to avoid being stopped, and at one point completely ignored a red traffic signal, going through the intersection at First and River streets at a high rate of speed and nearly hitting another car in the process.
Police managed to stop the driver as he traveled northbound on Sinatra Drive near Second Street. At that point, they took the man into custody and delivered him to police headquarters. Once there, he failed three sobriety tests and refused a Breathalyzer test, , according to police.
Many drunk driving arrests can be defended successfully. However, the circumstances surrounding a DWI offense can greatly influence the court’s final decision. Putting the police or the public in danger, as in this instance, can make for a much more difficult defense. Especially in situations like this, you need a skilled legal professional on your side — like the capable attorneys at The Law Offices of John F. Marshall.
DWI arrest after downtown Hoboken chase, NJ.com, April 22, 2009