Mothers Against Drunk Driving Name O’Scanlon Legislator of the Year

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) has named Assembly O’Scanlon it’s 2017 Legislator of the Year.

In recognition of your tireless efforts to advance the mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 2017, we are pleased to announce that we are honoring you as a 2017 MADD Legislator of the Year.

We thank you for your unwavering leadership in authoring DWI reform ignition interlock legislation in A 4016.

MADD commends you for your dedication and leadership in advancing MADD’s mission.  Thank you for your work in saving lives and in being a strong advocate for victims of impaired driving. Please do not hesitate to contact MADD with any questions. 

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Drunk RV driver slams into poles, fence, Howell cops say

HOWELL– A Howell man has been charged with several motor-vehicle offenses after he repeatedly crashed a recreational vehicle while under the influence of alcohol Sunday night, police said. Police received numerous calls from witnesses who saw the vehicle being driven erratically on Rt. 524. Witnesses told police the vehicle hit at least four utility poles and… Read the rest of this entry »

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Ex-prosecutor pleads guilty to refusing DWI test, report says

EAST WINDSOR – A former Monmouth County prosecutor has admitted to refusing a breath alcohol test after being stopped last year and had his license suspended for seven months, according to a report. Luis A. Valentin’s pleaded guilty in March to refusal to submit to a breath alcohol test in East Windsor in March, APP.com said.… Read the rest of this entry »

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Drunk woman with suspended license sideswipes N.J. trooper in Eatontown

TRENTON — A woman with a suspended license allegedly side-swiped a state trooper vehicle while driving drunk on along a stretch of highway in Monmouth County on Monday, authorities said. Kristen Szatmary, 31, was driving a Ford Focus and allegedly talking on her cell phone when she crashed into a troop car just after noon on… Read the rest of this entry »

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No jury trial for drunken drivers, N.J. Supreme Court rules

TRENTON — The state’s highest court has ruled that those accused of drunken driving in New Jersey have no right to a jury trial, even when they face months in jail and steep fines for repeat offenses. Driving while intoxicated is not a criminal offense in New Jersey, and the state Supreme Court on Thursday maintained… Read the rest of this entry »

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Ex-Monmouth County prosecutor charged with drunken driving

EAST WINDSOR – Former Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin is due in court next week to face drunken driving charges from a December arrest in East Windsor, authorities said Friday. Valentin, 49, who currently works as an attorney in the civil rights division of the Attorney General’s Office, is scheduled to appear in East Windsor Municipal… Read the rest of this entry »

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DiSomma: Squash Zipprich DUI Video

Sean DiSomma

Sean DiSomma, the Chairman of the Red Bank Republicans and a candidate for Council in the upcoming election has requested that MMM not to publish the video of Councilman Ed Zipprich’s arrest for Driving Under the Influence and not to release it to any other publications.  Zipprich is one of DiSomma’s opponents in the election.

“Linda (Schwabenbauer, DiSomma’s running mate) and I decided to run our campaign on the issues…making Red Bank’s government more affordable,” said DiSomma, “Zipprich’s allegation that we are responsible for the release of the video to the Asbury Park Press is baseless.  Mr. Zipprich says he’s working every day to be a better person.  I hope that is true and that he retracts the allegation.”

“Last year the Democrats went into the gutter with false allegations against me,” DiSomma continued, referring to Demcratic County Chairman Vin Gopal’s false allegation last October that there was a warrant out for his arrest in Texas for an unpaid speeding ticket, “two wrongs don’t make a right.  If this campaign is on the issues, we win.”

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Zipprich blames Republicans for his DUI becoming public

Red Bank Councilman likes to have it both ways

What do Ed McKenna and Ed Zipprich have in common besides the same first name and being Red Bank Democrats? They both have a record of driving the wrong way on the Garden State Parkway after consuming too much alcohol.

The Red Bank Police should put a DUI check on River Rd on Sunday afternoon as McKenna is holding a fundraiser for Zipprich and his running mates at his home from 4-6.  Red Bank Taxi and Red Bank Limo should make sure their drivers are on standby.  The State Police should increase patrols at Exit 109.

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Former Red Bank Mayor Arrested, Charged With DWI

Ed McKenna, Red Bank Green photo

Edward McKenna, 63, of Red Bank was involved in a one car accident while traveling north in a 2012 black Mercedes-Benz sedan on the Garden State Parkway at 9:50 pm Monday night.  The accident occurred at mile marker 108 in Tinton Falls. He was arrested by the New Jersey State Police and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, according the Sgt. Adam Grossman of the NJSP Public Information Office.

Grossman said that McKenna submitted to a breathalyzer test, but would not disclose the results.  Another law enforcement official familiar with the case said McKenna “blew very high.”

McKenna was the mayor of Red Bank from 1991 through 2006.  He is currently chairman of the New Jersey State Planning Commission.

In March of 2009 McKenna’s car struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk outside of Riverview Medical Center, according to RedBankGreen.  He was cited by the Red Bank Police with failure to yield to a pedestrian.  In October of 2000 he was involved in an accident at mile marker 110 on the Parkway, leaving the scene before police arrived, according to RBG.   McKenna said at the time that he identified himself to the other driver and left after waiting awhile for the police.  Later, the State Police visited his home where his wife told the troopers he had taken a pain killer for his shoulder and was sleeping.

McKenna was not available when we called his law office for comment.  This story will be updated if he calls back.

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