Bordentown Township Police Chief Brian Pesce nearly struck another driver “head-on” while allegedly driving hammered through the township last month, records show.
Pesce, a 23-year veteran, was placed on restrictive duty after news of his arrest became public.
The incident happened April 22 just before 10:30 p.m. in Hamilton’s University Heights neighborhood, near Bruin Drive and Terrapin Lane.
Body-camera footage obtained by The Trentonian showed the police chief sprawled on the ground, with his hands resting behind his head, behind his red Chevy pickup truck.
An officer inquired of the police chief whether he lived with his wife and whether they might contact her to inform her of the situation.
Cops observed Pesce asleep in the middle of the road with his pants “down.” They attempted to negotiate with him for his passcode in order to open his phone and call his wife.
“What’s the problem?” Pesce asked.
“Nothing,” the officer responded, “but you look sick. You got a bash on your head and there’s some kind of liquid – I thought it was piss but it might be throw-up next to your tire. Brake fluid possibly? I’m not gonna get down there and smell or dissect it.”
The chief has been charged with reckless and drunken driving, fleeing the scene of a property damage accident, and failing to report an accident.
