Plainfield councilman charged with DWI, careless driving

PLAINFIELD - A city councilman is facing charges of drinking and driving after he was involved in a late-night accident in front of his home on Dec. 9.

Barry Goode, 54, was also charged with refusing to take a breathalyzer test and careless driving.

Goode did not respond to requests for comment.

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According to a report obtained by MyCentralJersey.com, police responded to the 900 block of Melrose Place on a report of a car accident possibly involving an intoxicated driver around 11:55 p.m.

Arriving on the scene, police found a black Hyundai Elantra with its front bumper was off the car and on the street, appearing to have been dragged while driving, and its rear bumper protruding over the sidewalk, according to the police report. The car seemed to be stuck near the side of the house, just a few feet from the tree.

Officer Brandyn Adams told Sgt. Nuno Carvalho that the driver of the vehicle was approached by a concerned resident in the area who, according to the police report, attempted to assist the driver, but the driver "pushed him away" and went into the house.

"The witness stated that he observed a male, later identified as Mr. Goode, operating his vehicle, going back and forth, attempting to back in and park on the front lawn 935 Melrose Place," according to the report.

The witness, who wished to remain anonymous. told police that he approached the Hyundai, knocked on the driver's side window and pulled the door open in an attempt to assist the driver.

"The witness stated that the male driver then pulled the door shut on him and continued attempting to park," the report said. "The witness advised that he watched the male driver get out of the vehicle, fall onto the ground, get up and then go into his residence."

The officers then walked towards the Melrose Place home and saw footprints in the snow leading to the screened in porch. There were five inches of snowfall on Dec. 9.

As they approached the porch, Carvalho noted that he observed  the "home's west side entrance door was wide open" with a pair of keys still in the exterior lock.

"Additionally, I also noted that there was also a motor vehicle remote and car key on the key ring," Carvalho wrote in the report, adding that he did know if the driver needed medical assistance.

The officers entered the porch, knocked on the door, and announced their presence, according to the report.

After knocking once more and not receiving any answer,  the officers entered the home. Adams went left as Carvalho began to walk through the kitchen. The two officers' paths met and they "proceeded carefully down the hallway still announcing ourselves."

At the end of the hallway, Carvalho observed a man sitting on the edge of a bed, who he said he recognized as Goode.

Goode was partially dressed and appeared to be attempting to take off a black dress shirt he was wearing, according to the report.

Carvalho asked if Goode was OK and Goode replied that he was. He also noted in his report that he is "very familiar with Mr. Goode and have interacted with him numerous times over the course of my employment with the City of Plainfield."

Goode told Carvalho that nothing had occurred between him and his neighbor after the officer inquired about the alleged incident.

But Carvalho noticed that Goode was "not behaving in the manner that I was accustomed to when I normally interact with him."

Goode told Carvalho that he was unaware his home's door was left open and also said that he had not seen his car and was unaware of its condition.

Struggling with his shirt, Goode walked to his home's entrance and attempted to walk outside in the snow-covered ground. 

Carvalho asked him if he would like to put on some shoes due to the weather conditions. 

After struggling with his shirt again and finally removing it, Goode began to walk outside his home shirtless. He stood in the porch's doorway and looked down at his vehicle, according to the report. After looking at his car, he "quickly entered his home without saying anything."

Upon entering his home, Goode struggled to put on a jacket. Once the jacket was on, however, he walked towards the porch and stood there staring at his car.

Carvalho and Goode stepped outside and Carvalho asked Goode if he owned the car. Goode didn't respond. Carvalho asked again, but Goode did not respond for a second time.

After another officer arrived and neighbors were spoken to, Carvalho contacted the Union County Prosecutor's Office. The Plainfield Rescue Squad also arrived on the scene, but Goode refused medical assistance. Carvalho advised Goode of his Miranda Rights, and was then placed under arrest.

At the police station, Goode was confused as to what was going on, according to the report.

Goode then dialed 911 from the police station and requested to speak with Plainfield Public Safety Director Carl Riley. Carvalho told Goode Riley was not available at the time. After refusing to speak with the watch commander, Goode was placed in a jail cell. 

According to his Twitter account, Goode is an ordained elder and a councilman "with a big heart." He is also a widower and father, the profile said.

Goode was issued three motor vehicle summons. The first was for driving while intoxicated, the next was for refusal to provide a breath sample and the third was for careless driving.

Staff Writer Nick Muscavage: 908-243-6615; ngmuscavage@gannettnj.com