Cops: Driver in N.J. head-on collision was trying to 'scare' other motorists

Two, including suspect, remained hospitalized Tuesday, police said

WAYNE -- A North Haledon man faces several charges, including assault by auto, after causing a head-on crash that injured two people, police spokesman Capt. Laurence Martin said.

Leonardo Enrique (Wayne police)  

Officers Adrian Sulejmani, Steve Martell and Thomas Kartanowicz responded to Beaumont Parkway and Ratzer Road around 10 p.m. Monday, where  one of the drivers, Leonardo Enrique, 38, was found in his car surrounded by prescription pills, Martin said. Enrique was allegedly trying to stuff the pills down the front of his pants when police arrived.

Enrique admitted to police at the scene that he had taken a number of Xanax and Oxycodone pills, adding that he deliberately drove the wrong way into traffic in order to scare other drivers, Martin said. Ten Xanax pills and five Oxycodone pills were later found in Enrique's vehicle, authorities said.

A woman in Enrique's car was injured and unconscious, while the other driver was also hurt but was able to walk. All three were later treated at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson. Both Enrique and his passenger were still hospitalized Tuesday, Martin said.

Enrique has been charged with two counts of assault by auto, possession of prescription drugs  as well as being issued motor-vehicle summonses for DWI, DWI within 1,000 feet of a school, reckless driving and possession of narcotics in a motor vehicle.  

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook