Rodrigo Torrejon
NJ Advance Media
WAYNE, N.J. — A Wayne woman coughed on Hanover police officers and told them she was infected with the coronavirus after she was arrested following a motor-vehicle crash, police said.
After officers arrested Lea Piazza, 28, following a one-car crash March 12 in which she was suspected of driving while intoxicated, she grew belligerent with officers trying to question her, breathing on one officer despite his repeated orders to stop, Hanover Police Capt. Dave White said.
During arrest procedures at the Hanover Police Department, Piazza once again started breathing on police, this time coughing on an officer, and said: “Oh by the way, I have the coronavirus and now so do you.”
Three officers had been in contact with Piazza since her arrest, prompting the department to contact health officials and have the officers self-quarantine. Piazza told officers that her boyfriend had the virus and had been hospitalized for treatment, White said.
But after an investigation, officers determined that everything Piazza said was “100% false,” White said.
When contacted, the alleged boyfriend told police that he had gone on one date with Piazza and barely knew her, White said. Additionally, the man told police he had been in the hospital for an unrelated tooth issue.
She was eventually charged with DWI, careless driving, reckless driving and refusal to take a breath test. Piazza was additionally charged with false public alarm for her claims and was released pending a court date.
The next day, Piazza herself called police and apologized for her outburst, said White.
“We’re not taking this stuff lightly,” White said. “So if anything this sets an example. Don’t screw around.”