Crime & Safety

Hit-and-Runs Under Investigation in Bloomingdale

Kinnelon driver allegedly under the influence of alcohol, drugs.

Two hit-and-run crashes that both allegedly occurred on the same day are under investigation by Bloomingdale police.

Ptl. Dan Fletcher said in a press release Wednesday that both hit-and-runs were reported on Saturday by the alleged victims.

The first, at 10:35 a.m., resulted in the arrest of 50-year-old Teresa Blair, of Kinnelon, who was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, driving while intoxicated, careless driving and issued motor vehicle violations.

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Fletcher and Ptl. Steven Smith responded to Quick Chek that morning where a person from West Milford told the officers that while in the store, their parked vehicle was struck. According to the press release, several witnesses on the scene described the vehicle that struck it as a black Ford Mustang and provided police with a license plate number.

At 11:25 a.m., Sgt. Mark Gildersleeve responded to a call of an unconscious female driver in a black Ford Mustang at the Riverside Square plaza. Blair was the driver and was also identified as the driver of the vehicle described at the Quick Chek, according to Fletcher.

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Blair was brought to consciousness and Fletcher said she showed signs of possible use of alcohol and prescription medication. When asked by police about the hit-and-run, she said she was unaware of the crash and was unable to explain damage visibly sustained to her own vehicle, the release said.

Blair was transported to Chilton Hospital by Tri-Boro First Aid Squad and her vehicle was impounded.

Later that day, around 5 p.m., police responded to a second reported hit-and-run on Main Street. A Wayne resident told officers he was driving near Rudge Towing when a black Audi sedan allegedly attempted to pass his vehicle by crossing over the double yellow line, Fletcher said.

The Wayne resident told police that as the driver of the other vehicle tried to pull in front of his, the vehicle struck his driver's side front fender and bumper area. He was not injured, the release said.

While police were unable to locate the other vehicle, Fletcher said damage is expected on the passenger's side and front fender or door area. The Wayne resident was not able to provide police with registration information of the vehicle, but Fletcher said it is believed to be a New Jersey plate and the driver is suspected to be female with shoulder-length hair.

Anyone with information should contact the Bloomingdale Police Department at 973-838-0158.


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