DENVILLE – On Thursday evening, November 21, Edwin A. Sanchez-Laos, a 42-year-old resident of Rockaway, was arrested by the Denville Township Police Department after officers found him unresponsive in his vehicle, blocking a driveway on Second Avenue. The incident led to multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated (DWI), reckless driving, and open container violations.
At approximately 6:12 p.m., a 9-1-1 call reported a black Hyundai obstructing a driveway. According to the complainant, attempts to wake the driver were unsuccessful. Officers Vincent Fischer and Matthew Santangelo responded to the scene and discovered the vehicle, a 2012 Hyundai with a New Jersey registration, still running. Sanchez-Laos was found asleep in the driver’s seat.
Upon initial contact, officers noted an overwhelming odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle. Officer Fischer engaged Sanchez-Laos in conversation, during which he admitted to consuming “one and a half to two glasses of wine” at a Parsippany restaurant. Despite this, he could not recall the name of the establishment or explain why he had parked illegally on Second Avenue. Observations of bloodshot eyes, glassy appearance, and difficulty staying awake further raised suspicions of intoxication.
Sanchez-Laos was asked to exit the vehicle to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). The results revealed multiple indicators of impairment, including lack of coordination and difficulty following instructions. A Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, walk-and-turn test, and one-leg stand test were administered, with Sanchez-Laos showing signs consistent with alcohol intoxication.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed an open bottle of Santa Maria Pinot Grigio wine in the front passenger seat. Sanchez-Laos was placed under arrest and transported to the Town of Boonton Police Department due to equipment issues at the Denville station. There, he provided two breath samples, both registering a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.12%, above the legal limit of 0.08%.
The following charges were issued:
- Driving While Intoxicated (NJS 39:4-50)
- Reckless Driving (NJS 39:4-96)
- Careless Driving (NJS 39:4-97)
- Open Container of Alcohol in Vehicle (NJS 39:4-51B)
- Improper Parking in Front of Driveway (NJS 39:4-138D)
- Failure to Possess Driver Registration (NJS 39:3-29B)
- Failure to Possess an Insurance Card (NJS 39:3-29C)
- Delaying Traffic (NJS 39:4-56)
Sanchez-Laos was processed at Denville Police Headquarters and released to a responsible party under John’s Law, which requires intoxicated drivers to be released only to a sober adult.
He is scheduled to appear in Denville Municipal Court on December 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
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.
