Jersey cop arrested in DWI crashes was wanted for domestic violence, had DWI history

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP — Authorities say the Morris County police officer accused of drunkenly smashing into several vehicles with an SUV was involved in a domestic violence incident shortly before the collisions, according to reports.

Pennsylvania news station WNEP reported William F. McCarthy III — an officer from Washington Township in Morris County — was charged on Friday after allegedly driving his silver Nissan Armada SUV and striking several parked vehicles in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. The incident left McCarthy's SUV with heavy front-end damage and his airbag deployed, the station reported.

An unnamed police source told NJ Advance Media police were already looking for McCarthy after he violated a restraining order and was involved in a domestic violence incident. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office would not elaborate on the exact events that led to the destructive drive, citing the privacy of the victim, according to the news organization.

McCarthy was charged with driving under the influence, resisting arrest, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, duty to give information and render aid, reckless driving, and driving while DUI suspended, NJAM reported.

NJ Advance Media earlier reported McCarthy was arrested in 2015 in Blairstown when he was found parked along Route 94 with a bottle of tequila between his legs, as he sat in the driver's seat. He refused a breath test and had slow, slurred speech, the news organzation reported the arresting officer said. The New Jersey MVC said McCarthy's license was suspended for 90 days

Washington Township Police Chief Jeff Almer told the Patch of Long Valley the incident is under investigation and McCarthy is suspended without pay for the most recent incident.

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