08/31/10

TITLE: Driving At Night Without Lights it takes man 3 miles to pull over for police
DESCRIPTION:
Time: 10:25:32

ARTICLE

On Saturday, August 28, at approximately 12:35 am, Patrolman Lawrence Anthes attempted to stop a vehicle operated by Raghu Veeramallu, age 29, of Edison, on Route 22 East near the Exxon Research traffic signal after observing Mr. Veeramallu failing to maintain lane, traveling well below the posted speed limit, and after observing Mr. Veeramallu turn his vehicle’s headlamps off and then back on again. Although Ptl. Anthes activated his emergency lights and sirens, Mr. Veeramallu continued to travel along Route 22 East at approximately forty (40) miles per hour. After approximately three (3) miles, and now with numerous other police vehicles behind him with lights and sirens activated, Mr. Veeramallu finally came to a stop in the slow lane of Route 22 East prior to Potterstown Road.

Both Mr. Veeramallu and his passenger were handcuffed. Mr. Veeramallu, who is originally from India but who has lived in New Jersey for the past two (2) years, had the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, though Ptl. Anthes later determined that he was not intoxicated. When questioned, Mr. Veeramallu stated that he saw Ptl. Anthes’ emergency lights but, due to his window’s being fogged, he decided to clean them off and continue driving to a residence in Lebanon Borough. Ptl. Anthes charged Mr. Veeramallu with Reckless Driving, Failure to Yield To An Emergency Vehicle, Failure to Maintain Lane, Driving At Night Without Lights, and Obstructing Traffic. He was released.