As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I’ll be the first to tell someone that mixing alcohol and motorcycle riding is a recipe for disaster. But sadly, drinking and driving even for seasoned bikers is not uncommon. When someone makes a mistake and takes to the road after having a drink or two, the result can be a DWI arrest at the hands of one of New Jersey’s local, state or municipal law enforcement officers.
A news article not long ago told the story of a dual motorcycle crash that allegedly involved drunken driving. According to reports, three out-of-state riders met in a violent way on Route 78 near Bedminster, NJ, in late June. Police reports indicate that two motorcycles crashed in the early hours on a Sunday morning in northern New Jersey.
The crash, which the New Jersey State Police logged as a DWI-related claimed the life of a woman and left her companion critically injured. The other lone rider was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Based on police reports, 56-year-old Paul Shelly and 45-year-old Nicole Widener were riding on Shelly’s bike when it was struck apparently from behind by the second motorcycle driven by Maurice Smith, 36, of Patchogue, NY. Police said that Shelly was riding along the highway’s center lane when Smith apparently attempted to pass them at what police describe as a “high rate of speed.” According to the news, Smith’s bike contacted with the rear wheel of Shelly’s motorcycle causing the couple’s vehicle to go out of control.
Widener was thrown into the roadway, where she was subsequently run over and killed by a car that then left the scene. Shelly ended up on the side of the road and was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in condition with leg and other injuries. Smith sustained several cuts and bruises and was treated at the hospital before being taken into custody.
Pa. woman dead in N.J. 2-motorcycle crash; one injured; one charged with DUI, PoconoRecord.com, June 20, 2010