FROM: BERGEN COUNTY  NEW JERSEY PROSECUTOR JOHN L. MOLINELLIBergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced the arrest of 64 year old THOMAS RINALDI of Mahwah, New Jersey on charges of DWI Assault by Auto. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Carmen MARTINO and the Mahwah Police Department under the direction of Chief James N. BATELLI.

On Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at approximately 4:37 p.m., the Mahwah Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle collision with a bicyclist down in the roadway in the area of the intersection of Ramapo Valley Road and North Railroad Avenue in Mahwah. Officers responding to the scene determined that Thomas RINALDI, who was operating a 1990 Dodge Ram pickup truck, had struck Francisco Perez, a 62 year old Suffern, New York man, who was riding a bicycle near the intersection. As a result of injuries suffered during the collision, Mr. Perez was transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center where he remains in critical condition. Officers at the scene made observations that led them to believe that Mr. RINALDI was driving while intoxicated.

As a result of a cooperative investigation conducted by members of Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit (FAIU) and the Mahwah Police Department, it was determined that at approximately 4:37 p.m. on September 9, 2014, Mr. RINALDI was driving south on Ramapo Valley Road when he made a sharp left hand turn onto North Railroad Avenue. As a result of the way he executed the turn, Mr. RINALDI crossed into the northbound lane of travel and then cut into the oncoming lane of traffic on North Railroad Avenue. As he was turning, Mr. RINALDI struck Mr. Perez head-on. The collision caused Mr. Perez to fall from his bicycle and strike his head. A blood sample was taken from Mr. RINALDI, who appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the collision, and will be submitted for toxicological examination.

Thomas RINALDI was charged with one count of violating N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(2), Assault by Auto While Driving in violation of R.S. 39:4-50 (DWI). The investigation is ongoing and Mr. RINALDI was also issued summonses for motor vehicle violations including Driving while Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. Mr. RINALDI was released on bail set at $25,000 with a 10% cash option by the Honorable Anthony J. Gianni, Jr., Mahwah Municipal Court Judge. His first appearance in Mahwah Municipal Court has been scheduled for 9:00 a.m., on September 11, 2014.

Prosecutor Molinelli states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would also like to thank the Mahwah Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
CHARGE INFORMATION

DEFENDANT: Thomas Rinaldi DOB: 04/16/1950

LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 26 Island Road, Mahwah, New Jersey

MARITAL STATUS: Married

OCCUPATION: Self Employed Handy Man

ARREST INFORMATION

DATE OF ARREST: 9/9/2014

PLACE OF ARREST/TOWN: Mahwah, New Jersey

AGENCIES EFFECTING ARREST: Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Major Crimes/FAIU
Mahwah Police Department

CHARGE AND STATUTE CITATIONS

One (1) Count of Assault by Auto While in Violation of R.S. 39:4-50 in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1C(2)- 3rd Degree Crime

39:4-50 – Driving While Intoxicated

39:4-96 – Reckless Driving

ARRAIGNMENT INFORMATION

ARRAIGNMENT DATE: 9/11/14 at 9:00 a.m.

JUDGE: Judge Anthony J. Gianni, Jr., Mahwah Municipal Court

BAIL AMOUNT & CONDITIONS: $25,000.00, W/10%
PRESENT STATUS: Released on bail