Edison Police Chief Tom Bryan spotted an erratic driver who littered just before crashing into a tree.
Edison police Chief Tom Bryan EDISON -- A Sayreville man was arrested earlier this week for drug possession after the Edison police chief spotted the man driving erratically before crashing into a tree.
John X. Thasites, 21, was charged with driving under the influence, and possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia after Chief Tom Bryan, who was in an unmarked police SUV, spotted Thasites Monday night driving "erratically" in a Mercedes-Benz on Plainfield Avenue, according to a statement from the township.
Bryan attempted to pull Thasites over after he "abruptly swerved while throwing an empty cigarette pack out his car window." Thasites had veered across Plainfield Avenue into the oncoming lane before hitting a tree near Seymour Street.
Thasites' car air bag left him with a bloody nose and facial bruises, the statement said, and Bryan radioed for backup and medical assistance.
"It was an unusual evening, to say the least," Bryan said in the statement. "But, it gave me a firsthand chance to see our officers handle this investigation with professionalism and compassion for this injured driver. I couldn't be prouder."
According to Edison police officers John Cercatore and Michael Goldfarb, both of whom assisted at the scene, Thasites said he allegedly used a "bag of dope" before getting on the road.
According to the statement, the two officers found "two empty glassine folds, used for heroin, in his wallet."
Thasites was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, in New Brunswick.
He was eventually released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Edison Municipal Court next month.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.