Drunk Driving Charges Against Fort Lee Official Dismissed

Drunk driving charges against the Fort Lee emergency management chief have been dismissed after a police officer’s testimony raised questions about the acuracy of a sobriety test, NorthJersey.com reported.

Stephen Ferraro, 61, pleaded guilty to unsafely changing lanes, a two-point moving violation, the report said. A reckless driving charge was dismissed in a plea deal and the points will be removed if Ferraro avoids other violations within a year.

A retired borough police captain, Ferraro was pulled over driving a borough-owned Jeep in Cliffside Park Feb. 26 for reportedly slowing down, breaking and crossing the double-yellow line multiple times on Palisade Avenue.

The police officer testified high winds and rain could have impacted the field sobriety test and acknowledged Ferraro was left unmonitored before taking a Alcotest at headquarters, according to the report. State law, however, requires a suspect to be watched for 20 minutes before taking the test.

Ferraro was ordered to pay $81 in fines and $33 in court fees, the report said.