A New Jersey man is facing a long list of charges after police say he crashed a 1981 DeLorean into a parked Toyota while carrying dozens of bags of cocaine inside the car. The midday collision unfolded in full view of a police officer, leading to an immediate investigation that uncovered drugs, alcohol containers and an active warrant.
Authorities say the incident occurred shortly after noon on a Monday, when 33-year-old Luke Randall struck a stationary Toyota in his stainless-steel sports car. Although he appeared injured, officers reported that he declined medical attention. A New Milford police officer on scene called for assistance, and several responding officers conducted a search of the DeLorean.
Inside, police found vodka bottles and 87 individually packaged bags of cocaine. A background check revealed Randall had been charged with driving under the influence earlier in the month. He was also wanted for a separate incident involving careless driving, throwing objects from a vehicle and operating without a license in Harrington Park. Randall was arrested on the spot and later brought to a hospital for evaluation.
The unusual vehicle at the center of the crash drew its own share of attention. The 1981 DeLorean, famous for its gullwing doors and its role in the “Back to the Future” films, has once again made headlines — this time for far less cinematic reasons. The sports car itself appeared to be heavily damaged, adding to the list of consequences stemming from the crash.
The situation has also prompted renewed mention of the DeLorean marque’s complicated history. The company’s founder, John DeLorean, enjoyed a rapid rise within General Motors before striking out on his own in the 1970s. His namesake car ultimately failed commercially, and in 1982 he was charged in a high-profile federal cocaine trafficking case involving more than 200 pounds of the drug. The case remains one of the most notorious scandals in automotive history.
Randall now faces charges that echo that long-ago controversy, but with consequences entirely of his own making. His arrest ends a chaotic episode that left one classic car severely damaged and raised a series of legal issues that are likely to keep him in custody for the foreseeable future.
About the Author
