Intoxicated Driver Had Heroin During Berkeley Rt. 9 Crash: Police

BERKELEY, NJ — A man drove intoxicated and downed a pole Friday night in a crash that closed Route 9 in both directions, Berkeley police said. Authorities also suspect Michael Longo had heroin.

Longo, 37, of Cream Ridge, received summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, having drugs in his car and failure to maintain lane, police said. Criminal charges are pending.

The driver had a passenger in the car, and both sustained injuries.

The crash took place at about 9:30 p.m. Friday night around 600 Route 9. Longo drove southbound and crossed to the northbound side when he struck a utility pole in front of Mike's Foreign Car Repair, police said. His vehicle continued across the street and struck a Verizon pole in the parking lot of CG Landscape Supply.

Police saw a car in the parking lot of CG Landscape Supply with a pole on top of it. The driver was pinned under the steering wheel, and the passenger was in the back seat.

Bayville Volunteer Fire Company extracted Longo from his vehicle because of extensive damage on the driver-side door. Officials took Longo to the Jersey Shore Medical Center for a left-leg injury. The passenger was taken to Community Medical Center with complaints of pain in her left ankle.

Both lanes of Route 9 between Hickory Lane and Station Road were closed. The crash also damaged two vehicles in the Mike's Foreign Car Repair lot, police said.

Any witnesses can contact the Berkeley Township Police Department Traffic Safety Office at 732-341-1132 x125 . Tips can be anonymous.

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