New York man charged in Verona DUI hit-and-run

A New York man was charged with driving under the influence and other offenses after allegedly hitting a cyclist with his car and fleeing the scene in Verona, authorities said.

Dean T. Locke, 49, of Shirley, N.Y., was charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of accident, having an open alcohol container in a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, according to Township Manager Matthew Cavallo. 

Locke was allegedly driving a Ford F-150 southbound on Fairview Avenue about 7:30 p.m. on May 31 when he hit a 51-year-old cyclist from Cedar Grove, Cavallo said. The cyclist was hospitalized but is in stable condition as of Friday morning, according to Cavallo. 

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The vehicle kept going after hitting the cyclist and witnesses of the collision followed the fleeing truck to the area of Bloomfield Avenue, where Locke allegedly parked the vehicle and fled on foot, the manager said. Several moments later, Locke was found hiding behind a trash bin and taken into custody without incident, he said.

The investigation was ongoing. Anyone with additional information about the incident can contact Detective Sgt. Tim Banta at 973-857-4764. 

Police Capt. Stephen DePoe could not immediately be reached for additional information . 

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com