ERMA — Lower Township police received several 9-1-1 calls reporting a motor vehicle accident with injuries in the 200 Block of Suzanne Avenue in North Cape May, Saturday Jan. 23 at approximately 12:45 a.m.
Investigation on scene determined that the vehicle in question, a 2004 Mercedes Benz, operated by a Joseph W. Rothenberger, age 41, of Liberty Avenue in Mays Landing, left a residence in the 200 Block of Deborah Avenue northbound at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle then ran off the road, over a curb, across a sidewalk and into a yard causing substantial damage to the lawn before crashing into a chain link fence, striking a tree where it came to rest with heavy front-end damage.
The driver then attempted to flee on foot from the scene of the accident, but was physically detained by several neighbors in the area until police arrived. Neighbors indicated that a male and female passenger in the back seat of the vehicle fled the scene of the accident and ran back to the residence on Deborah Avenue.
Rothenberger received abrasions to his face as a result of the accident, however he refused to be transported to the hospital. The driver was reported to be uncooperative and belligerent with officers at the scene and when told he was being placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated, he attempted to physically resist his arrest.
Rothenberger was subdued and transported to the Lower Township Police Department where he was processed and charged with: Driving While Intoxicated, Resisting Arrest, Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test, Reckless Driving, Leaving The Scene of an Accident and Failure to Report an Accident.
The arresting officer was Patrolman Jennifer Anzelone.
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