JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Adam W. Riker, 42, was arrested for driving while intoxicated on Saturday night, August 22, after police found him slumped over in the driver’s seat of his running vehicle in the McDonald’s parking lot at Ridge Plaza in the Milton section of the township.
At approximately 9:44 p.m., Jefferson Township Police Officer Shane Cadigan responded to the McDonald’s, 5734 Berkshire Valley Road, for a report of a gray Ford Escape that had been speeding, nearly struck a curb and parked in the lot. The caller believed the driver was under the influence.
On arrival, Officer Cadigan found the Ford Escape parked horizontally across three parking stalls, still running and in drive. Riker, the owner and only occupant, was nodding his head with his eyes fluttering, swaying in his seat and difficult to understand, according to the report. The officer had Riker put the vehicle in park, shut off the engine and remove the keys.
A witness told police he saw the vehicle traveling south on Berkshire Valley Road, unable to maintain its lane, before it pulled into the shopping plaza, nearly hit a curb and came to a stop in the McDonald’s parking lot.
Sergeant Smolt, Officer Myshkoff and the first aid squad arrived at the scene. As officers helped Riker out of the vehicle, they detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. While looking for Riker’s license with his consent, Officer Cadigan found three closed, approximately 50-milliliter bottles of vodka in the center console. Riker refused medical attention.
Officer Liam Shernce, who was working a driving while intoxicated detail, arrived to conduct standard field sobriety tests. He observed that Riker had heavy slurred speech, watery and droopy eyes, and a heavy odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. Riker was unable to exit the vehicle or walk on his own, and officers determined that, for his safety, he could not perform the tests. He was placed under arrest, and officers had to lift him into the patrol car.
At police headquarters, officers determined that a breath test could not be safely administered. After briefing Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez, Officer Cadigan applied for a warrant to obtain samples of Riker’s blood. Judge William Pinilis approved the warrant by telephone at 12:30 a.m.
Riker was released to a family member under John’s Law. He was charged with:
- Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50)
- Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96)
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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