Sparta Police

Nov. 27 Sparta Police have concluded their investigation into a motor vehicle stop on Nov. 27 that resulted in the arrest of a Sparta woman. At 3:06 p.m., Officer Kurt Morris was dispatched to the area of Route 15 North to investigate a report of a possible drunken driver. The vehicle in question was a described as silver Chevrolet. The license plate number was also provided by concerned motorists. The officer located the vehicle and made his own independent observations as to the erratic operation of the vehicle. He then stopped it. The operator, Claire Fendt, 23, failed a series of field sobriety tests at the scene. Even though she had not consumed any alcoholic beverages, subsequent investigation lead the officer to believe that she was under the influence of narcotics. She was placed under arrest for DWI and transported to police headquarters for processing. Andover Township Officer Joseph Abrusci, a drug recognition expert conducted further testing with Fendt. After the testing was complete Fendt was charged with driving while under the influence of drugs, careless driving, failure to maintain a single lane of travel and failure to produce documents. Her vehicle was impounded and she was released several hours later to a sober adult. Sgt. Neil Spidaletto assisted with the investigation. Dec. 4 A family of five from Lafayette escaped serious injury early Sunday evening after an alleged drunken driver struck their vehicle head on. At 6:27 p.m., Sparta Police were dispatched to Route 181 near the intersection of Natale Drive to investigate a report of a serious motor vehicle accident with injuries. Investigating Officers, Jeffrey McCarrick and Accident Reconstructionist Officer C.J. Grauerholz have concluded that 40-year-old David Gonzalez was traveling with his wife Clara, 39, and their three young children north on Route 181. Brittany Spina, 20, of Sparta was alone in her vehicle traveling south. She drove her vehicle across the double yellow lines and into the oncoming lane of travel. Gonzalez took evasive action but could not avoid the Spina vehicle. The Gonzalez car was struck head-on. Spina, who was not wearing a seat belt, complained of neck and back pain and had abrasions and contusions on her head and face. She was airlifted to Morristown Hospital where she was treated and later released. The elder Gonzalez complained of neck and back pain and sought medical treatment on his own. None of his family members reported injuries at the scene. Spina has been charged with assault by auto, DWI, reckless driving, failure to maintain a single lane of travel, failure to keep right and failure to wear a seatbelt. Both vehicles were heavily damaged and were removed from the scene. A two-mile portion of Route 181 was closed and detoured for more than two hours as the accident was investigated. Sgt. Neil Spidaletto and Officer Adam Carbery assisted at the scene. The investigation continues into the arrest of a 17-year-old Lake Hopatcong youth on Sunday afternoon. At 2:31 p.m, Officer Marc Rubino was on routine patrol on Route 15, when he observed someone parked on the southbound shoulder near the 12.5 mile marker. What drew the officer’s attention to the vehicle was that the front bumper to the vehicle appeared to have been ripped off and was missing. The officer spoke to the 17-year-old male operator and detected a strong odor of raw marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle. The youth was directed to exit the vehicle. As he did, he was found to be sitting on several small plastic bags of marijuana. The young man appeared surprised and confused as to the whereabouts of his front bumper. He was taken into protective custody and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with juvenile delinquency for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with a motor vehicle summons for possession of narcotics in a motor vehicle. He was later released into the custody of an adult family member. The investigation is continuing to determine if this juvenile was involved in a motor vehicle accident prior to be taken being taken into custody in Sparta. Sgt. Jeffrey Mase assisted with the investigation.. A Sparta man suffered serious facial and head lacerations after he was involved in a single motor vehicle accident early Saturday morning. At 2:23 a.m., Sparta Police were dispatched to the intersection of East Mountain Road and Morning Star Drive to investigate a report of an overturned motor vehicle. Upon their arrival, officers found the car upright off the roadway, but heavily damaged after rolling over. Investigating officers determined that Christopher Vargas, 21, was the operator and only occupant of the vehicle. He was traveling west on East Mountain Road, when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crossed the double yellow lines, into the eastbound lane of travel. The vehicle then left the roadway, became airborne and struck a large rock wall head-on. The impact caused the vehicle to spin counterclockwise and roll over, where it came to rest upright. Vargas who was not wearing his seat belt, was partially ejected through the windshield. He was airlifted to Morristown Hospital to be treated for his injuries. Vargas has since been released from the hospital. Vargas had been charged with DWI, careless driving, failure to maintain a single lane of travel and failure to wear a seat belt. Officers Frank Schomp and Marc Mastandrea conducted the investigation.