Sparta Township Police

Aug. 17 A Sparta man was arrested early Wednesday evening after concerned citizens called police to report a man sitting on the ground next to a dumpster behind a closed business on Sparta Avenue. Sgt. Neil Spidaletto located the suspicious individual who attempted to run away when the sergeant approached. Maxwell Briganti, 20, was taken into custody a short time later. Briganti, who had vomited on himself, told the arresting officers that he had been huffing keyboard cleaner. Two empty cans of Radio Shack dust remover spray was found in his possession. Briganti was processed at Sparta Police Headquarters and charged with possession and use of toxic chemicals. He was released to a sober adult several hours later. Inhalant abuse refers to the deliberate inhalation or sniffing of common products found in homes and communities with the purpose of getting high. Inhalants are easily accessible, legal, everyday products. When intentionally misused, they can be deadly. Inhalant abuse is a lesser recognized form of substance abuse but it is no less dangerous. Inhalants are addictive and are considered to be gateway drugs because children often progress from inhalants to illegal drug and alcohol abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that one in five American teens have used inhalants to get high. Aug. 18 Lori Ann Wright of Greeley Penn., 43, remains in critical condition in Morristown Hospital after she was struck by a motor vehicle in the Northbound lane of Route 15. Wright was struck at 9:49 p.m. near White Lake Road. Arthur Blitz, 72, of New York City was driving the car that struck Wright. He was traveling at or below the posted speed limit. The victim ran into the roadway, crossed the south bound lane and went into the northbound lane when she was struck. The victim, who was highly intoxicated, suffered serious head trauma and internal injuries. She was transported To Morristown Hospital by St. Clare’s Paramedics and The Sparta First Aid Squad. She has been admitted into the intensive care unit, where her condition has been listed as critical. No charges are pending against the operator. The investigation is being conducted by Accident Reconstructionists Officers Brian Hassloch and CJ Grauerholz.