Drunk Driving Arrest Leads to Underage Drinking Busts

The arrest of a suspected drunk driver led Lacey police to issue summonses to several underage drinkers this week.

Zachary E. Gray, 19, of Capstan Drive in Forked River was arrested Jan. 11 after his vehicle was stopped by police in the Wawa parking lot on Lacey Road by officers Michael Verwey and Dimitrios Tsarnas, police said.

Gray, at the time, was driving with two other underage drinkers, according to police – 18-year-old Ethan J. Walter of Forked River and 20-year-old Daniel J. Hadley of West Deptford, who were both issued summonses for underage drinking.

The investigation into the incident led police to an address on Pine Street in Forked River, where "additional persons were believed to be consuming alcohol under the legal age," police said. When police arrived there, 20 year-old Sabrina Bowen of Forked River, 19-year-old Jessica B. Valentine of Lanoka Harbor and 20-year-old Brandi-Lynn Rousse of Forked River were issued summonses for underage drinking. All were released at the scene.

Gray was ultimately charged with DWI, underage consumption of alcohol, reckless driving, speeding and violating the terms of his provisional driver's license, police said. His car was impounded pursuant to John's Law.