Crime & Safety

Driver Drunk in Fatal Crash, Had Open Container, Prosecutor Says

Tests ordered to determine alcohol level in Warren woman's blood at time of accident.

A Warren woman accused of vehicular homicide in a crash that killed a Bridgewater man Wednesday night has now been charged with DWI and having an open container of alcohol in her vehicle at the time of the accident, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said.

Bernards Township Police on Friday charged Warren Lori Weiss, 44, with DWI, reckless driving, driving with an open container of alcohol and faiing to keep right, after further investigation of the Wednesday evening accident that claimed the life Peter Calvelli.

Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano announced Thursday vehicular homicide charges had been filed against Weiss. She surrendered herself to authorities on Friday, represented by attorney John McDonald, and was freed after posting $50,000 bail set by state Superior Court Judge Paul W. Armstrong, sitting in Somerville.

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Weiss was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, where blood samples were drawn Wednesday night for toxicology testing after police reported smelling alcohol on her breath following the accident, according to Capt. Jack Bennett, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office. Typically, results from tests aren't available for several weeks.

Calvelli's 25-year-old daughter, Rachel, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was taken to Morristown Medical Center following the accident. Rob Siemen, a representative with the hospital, said Friday she is in fair condition.

Find out what's happening in Warrenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With the investigation continuing, anyone with information on the accident should call Bernards Township Police at 908-766-1122, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office C.A.R. Team at 908-231-7100 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS.

All calls will be confidential.


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