Fairfield (NJ) – The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrest of Sanjay O. Hanson (22), of South Hempstead, NY, for eluding police on January 1, 2024. On that date at approximately 1:52 am, Officer Kevin Chen observed a grey Mercedes Benz allegedly fail to stop at a red traffic signal on Passaic Avenue.
Officer Chen conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 46 East a short time later. It is alleged that during the stop, Officer Chen gave the driver, Hanson, instructions to turn off the vehicle and exit. It is further alleged that Hanson ignored the officer’s commands, and drove away from the stop.
Officer Chen returned to his patrol vehicle and advised police headquarters of what had just occurred, and the vehicle was travelling on Route 46 East. Per the New Jersey Attorney General’s Guidelines, a pursuit was not authorized. Officer Chen traveled on Route 46 East through Wayne in order to return to town. While doing so, he came across a motor vehicle crash in the grass just off the highway. It is alleged that the vehicle in the crash was the same vehicle that had fled from Officer Chen’s motor vehicle stop.
With assistance of the Wayne Police Department and Wayne EMS, Hanson was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. A passenger in the vehicle was also injured.
Hanson was charged criminally with eluding and obstruction. He was also charged with multiple motor vehicle violations. Hanson is scheduled to appear at the Essex County Superior Court on April 24, 2024.
(Charges are merely allegations until the defendant is proven guilty or pleads guilty in a court of law).
Issued by: Officer Stacy Chiarolanza (PIO)
