At 4:30 a.m., police stopped Rafael Hidalgo, 45, who had changed lanes west of the bridge’s upper level without signaling, crossing two lanes of traffic and back across two lanes, Port Authority police spokesman Joseph Pentangelo said in a statement. When the officer stopped Hidalgo, who was driving a black BMW sedan, he was unable to supply a driver’s license.
The officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol on the Chestnut Ridge resident’s breath and his eyes were watery and bloodshot, Pentangelo said. Hidalgo then failed a field sobriety test after he swayed and lost his balance, according to authorities. Police also found that Hidalgo had three warrants from Alpine and was driving with a suspended license.
The car Hidalgo was driving was impounded and he was charged with driving while intoxicated, contempt of court, driving with a suspended license and traffic violations, Pentangelo said.