DOVER — On Monday, August 19, 2024, at approximately 1:51 a.m., Dover Patrol Officer Ulises Corona noticed a black sedan speeding along East Blackwell Street, swerving between lanes. The officer had initially been addressing another individual for a local ordinance violation involving an open container of alcohol. Upon seeing the erratic driving, the officer shifted focus to pursue the vehicle. The officer activated emergency lights, followed the sedan as it accelerated, and ran a red light at the intersection of South Salem Street.
The officer caught up with the vehicle as it turned into the 262 East Blackwell Street parking lot. Upon approaching the car, the officer identified the driver as Oswaldo Chavez, 29, of Morristown. When Chavez leaned to his right inside the vehicle, the officer opened the door to stop him and requested assistance from another officer. The interaction took place in Spanish, as Chavez only spoke Spanish. He appeared disoriented, with a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, and he repeatedly gave slow responses to the officer’s questions.
Chavez admitted to drinking alcohol that night, initially stating he had one drink but later acknowledging he had two. He was unable to produce a valid driver’s license. The officer then conducted field sobriety tests, which led to the determination that Chavez was impaired.
Chavez was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and handcuffed. His car was impounded, and he was transported to the Dover Police Headquarters for processing. Due to the department’s breathalyzer machine being out of service, Chavez was taken to Randolph Police Headquarters, where he provided two valid breath samples, revealing a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.23%, well over the legal limit.
Chavez was issued the following traffic summonses:
- 39:4-50 – Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
- 39:4-50.19 Failure to install interlock/drive car without interlock
- 39:3-10 – Driving without a license
- 39:3-40 – Driving after Drivers License/Registration Suspended/Revoked
- 39:4-81(A) – Failure to obey a traffic signal
He was released into the custody of a responsible adult after signing the necessary paperwork.
This incident underscores the importance of responsible driving and the serious consequences of impaired driving.
Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
