Crime & Safety
Drunken Driver Hid From Cops Under Car: Lacey Police
Christopher Miller, 26, was eluding police after he was caught making an illegal U-turn, authorities said.
![Christopher Miller, of North Andover, was seen making an illegal U-turn near Lacey Road and Lake Barnegat Drive North shortly before 2 a.m. on Oct. 19, police said.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/25866962/20231023/012813/styles/patch_image/public/patch-editorial-lacey-police-nj-mirchuk-9___23132745852.jpg)
LACEY, NJ — A Massachusetts man who was driving while intoxicated was found hiding under his car after attempting to elude officers, Lacey police said.
Christopher Miller, of North Andover, was seen making an illegal U-turn near Lacey Road and Lake Barnegat Drive North shortly before 2 a.m. on Oct. 19, police said.
Ptl. Scott Keefe and Ptl. Casey Lepeshko, on patrol at the time, tried to pull over Miller and his Honda Civic, turning on the police car's emergency lights, police said.
Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Miller, 26, quickly turned off Lacey Road and onto Vaughn Avenue, police said. He turned down Adolphus Street and fled from Keefe and Lepeshko, who did not pursue, police said.
While checking the area for the Honda Civic, Ptl. Sarno located it parked alongside a home on Briggs Avenue North. It appeared that the car drove across the front lawn and tried to hide along the fence on the north side of the property, police said.
Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Miller was found lying down and hiding underneath the front end of the car, police said.
He was taken into custody without incident and charged with the following motor vehicle violations: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, improper U-turn, careless driving, failure to stop and possession of an open container of alcohol.
Miller was also criminally charged with second degree eluding police officers.
He was lodged in Ocean County Jail pending a future court date.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.