Cops: 62-Year-Old Had 10-15 Drinks Before Driving

A 62-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest after admitting he had 10 to 15 drinks before driving and crashing into a woman's vehicle, police said.

Michael J. Paquet was charged with DWI and resisting arrest and was issued summonses for refusal to submit a breath test, reckless driving, obstructed windshield, unclear plates and failure to exhibit documentation.

Police said they responded to the accident scene at the intersection of Kinnelon Road and Maple Lake Road at 10:05 p.m. Upon further investigation of the accident, police said the driver of a 2012 Lexus, a 40-year-old woman, was driving west on Kinnelon Road and slowing down for the traffic light at Maple Lake Road when Paquet, the driver of a 2008 Ford pickup truck, also traveling west on Kinnelon Road, ran into the rear of her vehicle. The woman suffered from neck pain and was transported to Morristown Medical Center.

Police said they spoke to Paquet and allegedly smelled a strong odor of an alcohol coming from him. Police also said he was uncooperative and told officers he drank between 10 and 15 drinks.

Paquet was given several field sobriety tests, which police said he failed, and was told he was being placed under arrest. Police said he proceeded to grab the side of his truck to allegedly avoid being handcuffed, but was forcibly handcuffed and transported to the Kinnelon police station. At headquarters, police said he refused to give samples for a breath test.

He was later released with a date to appear in court.

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