LACEY TWP., N.J. — A Manchester man is facing a long list of charges after allegedly driving drunk, striking multiple police vehicles, and fleeing through residential streets before being pulled from a lake by officers on Thursday.
Ronald Banilov, 33, was arrested after leading Lacey Township police on a dangerous pursuit that began around 3:46 p.m. when officers responded to reports of a driver drinking from a bottle and swerving on Route 9 near Lacey Road.
According to police, Banilov, behind the wheel of a silver Hyundai Tucson, veered into the wrong lane on Beach Boulevard, nearly causing several head-on collisions before striking another vehicle and fleeing the scene.
When officers attempted a motor vehicle stop at 1044 Lacey Road, Banilov allegedly drove into the officer’s vehicle and fled eastbound in the westbound lane, crashing into another patrol car before entering Barnegat Pines, prompting police to briefly halt pursuit due to safety concerns.
Banilov continued driving erratically before crashing through a curb at the Lacey Township Recreation Department and launching the vehicle over a culvert. He then drove through police headquarters and across Lacey Road before the car was disabled near Arlington Avenue and Lakeside Drive North after hitting a utility pole.
Banilov fled on foot and jumped into Deerhead Lake, where officers took him into custody.
He is charged with eluding police in a motor vehicle, two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, resisting arrest, obstruction, criminal mischief, trespassing, and taking a vehicle without consent. Police also issued multiple motor vehicle summonses including DWI, refusal to submit to breath testing, reckless driving, leaving the scene of crashes, and speeding.
