Crime & Safety

Police Arrest Driver for Evading Accident Scene

A woman allegedly spoke on her cell phone and got distracted, going off the road.

The following information was supplied by the Monroe Police Department. No arrested person is guilty until so judged in a court of law.

A woman allegedly became distracted while talking on her cell phone and heading south on Elm Street in her 2002 Acura RST at around 3:20 p.m. on March 3, and veered off the road for approximately 80 feet before striking a mailbox, then traveling another 20 feet and hitting three wooden posts protecting a catch basin, according to police.

The front plate was recovered at the scene, police said.

Find out what's happening in Monroewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An officer responding to a complaint was told the driver left the scene of the accident and the officer found the car at Dunkin Donuts on Route 111. Police said the car had front end damage, both airbags were deployed and the woman was sitting in the driver's seat talking on her cell phone.

The driver, Caroline Urizar, 22, of Meadowlark Circle, told the officer she got scared after hitting the mailbox and left the scene and was calling friends to pick her up, police said, adding she admitted to being on the phone before getting distracted and going off the roadway.

Find out what's happening in Monroewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Urizar was charged with evading responsibility, failure to drive in the proper lane and operation of a motor vehicle while using a cell phone. Bond was set at $250 for a March 12 court date.

Damage to the mailbox is estimated at $200, the report said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.