After allegedly being found asleep at the wheel, Demelo fled at a high rate of speed, police said
(File photo)PARSIPPANY -- A 39-year-old man from the Haskell section of Wanaque in Passaic County faces numerous charges after he allegedly led police from Parsippany and neighboring communities on a chase along Route 46 on Saturday.
The incident started when Jason Demelo was allegedly seen "slumped to the right side" inside his car, just past the driveway apron of the Days Inn, with the car's blinker on and not parked in a parking space, Parsippany police said.
Demelo, whose stereo was playing at a high volume, woke up after "several attempts" by an officer, police said.
Demelo was asked to produce his documents, and after he failed to do so, he "turned his vehicle on and fled down Route 46 east," police said.
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Police in two vehicles followed him, but soon terminated the pursuit, they said.
Police departments from outside Parsippany got involved and the vehicle was stopped, police said.
Demelo was charged by Parsippany police with 17 offenses, including eluding an officer, speeding, failure to observe traffic lanes, failure to maintain lane, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, reckless driving, careless driving, failure to give proper signal, failure to yield at an intersection and being an unlicensed driver, police said.
Demelo was also charged by other police agencies and was held at the Essex County jail on $25,000 bail, with no 10-percent option, Parsippany police said.
Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
