🚔🍺 BRONX MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED WRONG-WAY DWI INCIDENT WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE 🚨
Fairfield police arrested a Bronx man for allegedly driving the wrong way on Route 46 while intoxicated with three children in his vehicle. Miguel Nocelo-Soto faces multiple charges, including child endangerment, after failing sobriety tests during the early morning traffic stop.
📍 FAIRFIELD, NJ — August 30, 2026
A 33-year-old Bronx, New York man was arrested in Fairfield after police allege he was driving the wrong way on Route 46 while intoxicated with three juveniles inside his vehicle.
According to the Fairfield Police Department, Officer Matthew Latesta was patrolling Route 46 East near McDonald’s at approximately 2:06 a.m. when he allegedly observed a black Dodge Durango traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.
The officer conducted a traffic stop in the McDonald’s parking lot and identified the driver as Miguel Nocelo-Soto, 33, of the Bronx.
Police said Nocelo-Soto allegedly displayed bloodshot and watery eyes. Officers also discovered three juveniles, ages 17, 12, and 1, seated in the rear of the vehicle.
When questioned, Nocelo-Soto allegedly told officers he had consumed two beers. Police said an unopened can of beer was also observed in the vehicle's door panel.
Nocelo-Soto was asked to participate in standardized field sobriety testing. According to police, he allegedly failed to satisfactorily complete the tests. He was subsequently placed under arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
🚨 Police said the vehicle was impounded pursuant to John's Law, while a family member responded to the scene and took custody of the children. Officers also allegedly located multiple open cans of beer inside the vehicle.
Nocelo-Soto was transported to the West Caldwell Police Department, where he submitted to breath samples. Police allege that his blood alcohol concentration was above the legal limit.
⚖️ CHARGES
Nocelo-Soto was criminally charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, with the charge issued on a summons requiring him to appear in Essex County Superior Court.
He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for alleged:
• Driving under the influence • Wrong way on a one-way highway • Consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle • Reckless driving • Careless driving • Improper use of a divided highway • Open container of alcohol • Driving while intoxicated with a minor passenger
The case was also referred to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) for further investigation.
Nocelo-Soto has a mandatory appearance scheduled for October 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., in Essex County Superior Court.
⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: The charges and allegations described in this report are not findings of guilt. Nocelo-Soto is presumed innocent unless and until he pleads guilty or is found guilty in a court of law.
📰 Garden State News Network Informing & Connecting New Jersey.