Police: Man Arrested After Car Crash Attempted to Eat Bags of Heroin

A 45-year-old Elizabeth man was arrested in Springfield after reportedly jumping out of a moving car on I-78, fleeing through the streets of downtown Springfield and trying to swallow four bags of heroin in late April.

Police say that Antoine Satterfield, along with a passenger, was stopped by a Berkeley Heights police officer for erratically driving his 1996 Mazda East on 78 on April 22. During the stop, his passenger left the car and Satterfield reportedly drove away from the scene Then, reportedly, a short time later, the New Jersey State Police told Springfield police they’d found the Mazda on I-78 in Springfield unoccupied and crashed into a guardrail. 

A witness told Springfield police they had seen a man flee the crash and run off the highway towards Morris Avenue. Officers searched for the suspect to no avail until 9:40 pm, when Springfield Police Lieutenant Damon Quirk, who was on his way home on Morris Avenue, observed a man darting in and out of alleys. Officer Danielle Kahora saw Satterfield enter a Chinese restaurant when she drove up in her patrol car, and then leave the restaurant after reportedly only purchasing a soda.

Police say that when confronted, Satterfield said his name was "David” and that he left his wallet at home, and therefore did not have any ID. Police reportedly found a credit card in his pocket imprinted with the name Antoine Satterfield.

Once in custody at Springfield Police headquarters, police say Satterfield tried to swallow glassine bags of heroin he had hidden in his underwear.

Officer Kahora charged Satterfield with Possession of Heroin. He was turned over to Berkeley Heights Police to be charged with Eluding.