Wrong-Way Drunk Driver Injures Three On Route 35 in Keyport

A 22-year old drunk driver traveling in the wrong direction on Route 35 hit another vehicle head-on near Garden State Parkway exit 117, sending its three passengers to the hospital.

The crash occurred at 1:06 a.m. Monday in the southbound lanes.

Keyport Police said that Ethan Rivera, 22 of Old Bridge had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit. Rivera was drinking at Park East in Hazlet, said Keyport Police Chief George D. Casaleto.

The three victims are residents of Keansburg. Police said they were two adults and one nine-month old baby strapped to its car seat.  The Keansburg victims had to be extricated from their vehicle by the Keyport Fire Department and the Keyport First Aid. They were taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center by the Keyport First Aid squad.

Rivera was not injured.

Route 35 was shut down for 3½ hours for the investigation.

The Monmouth County SCART team was called in to assist with the accident.

Criminal charges are still pending. Keyport Police are working with the NJ State Police ABC unit, Hazlet PD and the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.

If anyone witnessed the accident please contact Ptl. Robert McCartin at the Keyport Police Department 732-264-0706