Jersey City councilman Chico Ramchal faces DWI charge following crash

JERSEY CITY -- An elected official in northern New Jersey is charged with drunken driving after he was involved in a three-vehicle crash over the weekend.

Jersey City Councilman Khemraj "Chico" Ramchal was arrested early Saturday.

The 39-year-old Ramchal was driving southbound on West Side Avenue when his sport utility vehicle and another vehicle collided at Communipaw Avenue around 12:30 a.m. A taxi was also involved in the accident, with the impact of the collision so intense that it demolished the rear end of the taxi cab and left the driver passed out in the front while his passenger was jolted in the backseat.

The passenger, Eduardo Marrero, was rushed to the hospital after suffering back injuries.

"I called the taxi, it was my birthday, I was at a friend's house," he said. "After that, I remember seeing Kennedy Boulevard, and the next thing I remember after that is being in the ambulance."

He said he was talking on his phone, which smashed against his face so violently that he suffered a broken nose and black eye.

"He shouldn't be working as a council member," Marrero said. "If he can't make the decision not to drink and drive, he shouldn't be a council member. How are you making decisions for other people?"

Authorities say the accident remains under investigation.

Ramchal's blood alcohol content was .15, nearly twice the legal limit.

He released the following statement on Monday:

"I would like to apologize to my constituents and all of the people of Jersey City for my actions on Saturday morning. I take full responsibility for this incident which I regret very deeply. I made a mistake and will deal with the consequences through the legal system as well as participate in a counseling program. I also want to thank all of the people who have contacted me and expressed their support and friendship. I have learned a valuable lesson and will never allow anything like this to happen again."

A spokesperson from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission says that Ramchal is a driver in good standing with no active points. He's been licensed in the state since 2003, and the SUV he was driving is registered to the Jersey City Incinerator Authority.