A woman who was allegedly drunk when she crashed her car into a Hanover NJ police cruiser faces charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and assault by auto.
According to authorities, a Hanover New Jersey police officer was at the scene of a two-vehicle accident on Route 287 South in Hanover, New Jersey. The officer was controlling traffic and providing assistance to New Jersey State Police.
The Hanover officer was sitting in his police cruiser when the suspect, a 30-year-old woman from Morristown NJ, approached in a 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
The suspect allegedly slammed her vehicle into the back of the police cruiser. At the time of the collision, the police cruiser reportedly had its emergency lights turned on.
As a result of the DWI crash, the Hanover police officer was injured in his neck, back, elbows, and shoulders.
Additionally, two state troopers were injured in the DUI accident. They reportedly had to dive over a concrete barrier on Route 287 in order to avoid being struck by the suspect’s vehicle.
After the accident, the 34-year-old Hanover police officer was transported to Morristown Medical Center. He received medical treatment for his injuries and was later released from the hospital.
The two NJ State Police troopers were also taken to Morristown Medical Center. They received treatment for minor injuries and were subsequently released.
The suspect was placed under arrest and charged with assault by auto and driving while intoxicated (DWI).
If the suspect is convicted on the assault by auto charges, she faces serious prison time. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(c), anyone who drives a vehicle while in violation of NJ drunk driving laws and causes serious bodily injury to another person can be charged with a third degree felony. A conviction for third degree assault by auto could result in a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information about this case, see the NJ.com article entitled “3 Cops Hurt When Drunk Driver Hit Cruiser, State Police Say.”
