UPDATE: Linden officer in wrong-way crash had a second DUI, multiple arrests on record.

PLUS: Dashcam video captures Abad during 2013 DUI arrest.



LINDEN -- City police Officer Pedro Abad, who was driving the vehicle involved in the Staten Island wrong-way crash in which two people were killed last week, previously was charged with drunk driving in Rahway in 2013, according to state motor vehicle records.

Abad, 27, a six-year veteran of the department, received violations for refusing to take a chemical test and for driving under the influence after an accident in Rahway on Feb. 26, 2013, according to records at the state Motor Vehicle Commission.

Abad also received a violation for using a cell phone while driving following a crash on Aug. 19, 2012 in Linden, according to their records.

In Oct. 16, 2013, a judge imposed two suspensions of his driver's license, one for each of the 2013 violations, and ordered that Abad have an interlocking device installed on his car for 180 days, the records state.

That ended on Sept. 11, 2014, according to the MVC records.

Abad served the suspensions and paid the fines, and his driving privileges were restored on May 14, 2014, the records show.

Abad remains in critical condition at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, where he was taken following the crash shortly before 5 a.m. in which he drove the wrong way on the West Shore Expressway and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer.

Two passengers in the car, Linden Officer Frank Viggiano, 28, and Linden resident Joseph Rodriguez, 28, were fatally injured in the crash.

Another Linden police officer, Patrik Kudlac, 23, was also in the car and was critically injured in the crash. Kudlac remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Staten Island University Hospital North.

Linden police today, when asked about the 2013 charges, declined to comment.

However, Linden police Capt. James Sarnicki previously said that any prior accident or charge would be a part of an internal record which would not be released.

"We would not necessarily be notified if an officer had an off-duty accident unless there was a charge filed against him. If that was the case, the officer would be required to notify our department and an internal investigation of the incident would take place," Sarnicki said in a statement.

The NYPD confirmed the four men were at the Curves strip club before the 5 a.m. crash. Police said detectives are reviewing video surveillance and interviewing staff at the club to determine if the men had been drinking and have applied for a warrant to test Abad's blood for alcohol.

The general manager at Curves confirmed that the club does serve alcohol, but would not say if the men were drinking.

"We are cooperating with the authorities on the investigation, and they have asked us not to comment," said Curves General Manager Tommy Ford. "Obviously we feel for the families. It's a tragedy. You never want to be on the other end of that phone call."

An Instagram post from around 11 p.m. Thursday on Abad's account shows a picture of shots at Central Park, a Roselle bar-restaurant, with the caption "Jack Daniels Fire on the house" and a toast about how he wants to settle down and have a family.

A manager from Central Park has not returned calls for comments.

At a Friday press conference, Linden authorities would not answer questions about where the men were or whether they were drinking.

"We will let the investigation air out what happened," said Police Captain James Sarnicki. "We'll learn from what happened today. And if there's any lessons to be learned, we'll take that information, and I'm sure the chief will address any issues at that time."

Supervising reporter Jessica Remo contributed to this story.

Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.