Home / Crime and Justice / Chief of Detectives Charged with DUI After Crash
Chief of Detectives Charged with DUI After Crash
11 Jun
Summary
- A chief of detectives was criminally charged with assault by auto.
- He allegedly crashed while driving drunk, injuring two people.
- The investigation was handled by a different county's prosecutor.
Francisco Roman Jr., 54, the chief of detectives for the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, has been criminally charged. These charges stem from an investigation into a crash that occurred earlier this year in Somerville. Roman is accused of driving drunk and striking a parked car, resulting in injuries to the car's driver and a passenger.
The incident took place on March 20, when Roman allegedly drove a county-owned Chevrolet Tahoe on South Bridge Street. The vehicle collided with a parked Mercedes-Benz, also damaging three other parked cars. Responding Somerville police officers observed signs of impairment, leading to Roman's arrest for driving while intoxicated.
The Morris County Prosecutor's Office took over the investigation and formally charged Roman on Monday with two counts of fourth-degree assault by auto. He has since been processed and released pending a court appearance. Roman, who has over 25 years in law enforcement, is currently suspended without pay. Deputy Chief Meredith McKay is now serving as the acting chief of detectives.
