FORT LEE — Police arrested a man who fell asleep behind the wheel of a car, illegally taken from his job, while driving on the George Washington Bridge, authorities said.
Anibal Rivera (L.) and Brandon K. Eckhardt (R.)PANYNJ
Anibal Rivera, 28, of Newark, was arrested early Friday morning after Port Authority Police had to pull in front of the slow moving four-door Mercedes to stop it, according to a press release.
Patrol vehicles first spotted the car around 1:20 a.m. on the eastbound upper level of the bridge going at a very low rate of speed and causing traffic to snarl.
When the marked patrol vehicle pulled next to the car, the driver appeared to be asleep, authorities said.
The car struck the rear of the patrol vehicle when it pulled in front, slowed and then came to rest against a guardrail, at which time the driver finally awoke, authorities said.
After noticing a strong order of marijuana, police found a marijuana cigarette at the feet of a passenger, Brandon K. Eckhardt, in the car. Rivera subsequentially failed a sobriety test, officials said.
Both men denied ownership of the car, authorities said. Police later determined that Rivera had illegally taken the car from his job at an auto detailing business.
Rivera was charged with numerous drug and car theft offenses including reckless driving. Eckhardt, 26, of Jersey City was charged with similar offenses.
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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