Wyckoff police: Driver crashes, leaves car, charged with DWI, other offenses

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A driver who Wyckoff police said left his car behind after crashing it on a Route 208 overpass was arrested before he could get home, Police Chief Benjamin Fox said this afternoon.

Photo Credit: *Cliffview Pilot File Photo*

Jerry DeMarco

09/12/2013 8:25 p.m.

Sgt. Kevin Kasak found the 2010 BMW 5 series after responding to the call of a crash around 1:40 a.m. yesterday on the Russell Avenue overpass of the highway, Fox said.

Using the vehicle’s registration, Sgt. Brian Zivkovich and Patrolman Mark Tagliareni found the owner — identified as Pratap S. Modapothala, 31, of Franklin Lakes — walking near his Eder Avenue home, the chief said.

He was arrested and, following a breath test, was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an auto accident and failing to report an accident.

He was released to a friend and is scheduled for an Oct. 3 hearing in Wyckoff Municipal Court.

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