Man Charged For Driving Drunk & Crashing In To Police Conducting Traffic Stop
Monday, October 7, 2024, 9:45 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
SADDLE RIVER, NJ.- On Saturday, an 18-year-old New York, New York man was charged in connection with driving while intoxicated and crashing into police patrol vehicles conducting a motor vehicle traffic stop Saturday night, leaving multiple people injured, including two Police Officers.
According To Prosecutor
According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, shortly after 10:30 p.m., Saddle River Police Officer John Latka was conducting a motor vehicle stop in a marked police vehicle on the shoulder of Route 17 South near East Allendale Road in Saddle River, New Jersey.
During the stop, Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn, Jr., arrived on the scene to assist Saddle River Police Officer Latka during the motor vehicle stop.
While the officers were conducting their investigation on the shoulder of Route 17 South with their emergency lights activated, a Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle was traveling southbound on Route 17 when the driver lost control and entered the shoulder, rear-ending the Allendale Police Officer’s vehicle, causing a four-car chain reaction crash involving the vehicle stopped by Saddle River Police Officer Latka’s patrol vehicle, Allendale Police Officer Dunn’s vehicle, and the Range Rover.
The driver of the Range Rover immediately fled the crash on foot but was apprehended a short time later by Police Officers from neighboring towns. The driver was identified as Joseph Ford, 18, of New York, New York.
Multiple People Injured Including Two Officers
The collision caused severe injuries to Allendale Police Officer Dunn and injuries to Saddle River Police Officer Latka and one of the passengers in the Range Rover, as well as an occupant of the vehicle stopped by Officer Latka. All the injured individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries, which have been determined as non-life threatening.
Due to the nature of the injuries and the manner of the collision, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit and the Saddle River Police Department initiated a joint investigation. During the investigation, Detectives determined that Ford was driving while intoxicated and at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the Range Rover, causing it to veer into the shoulder, colliding with the back of the Allendale Police vehicle.
Charges Filed Against Ford
Accordingly, as a result of the investigation, Ford was charged with third-degree Assault by Auto; third-degree Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Bodily Injuries; and three counts of fourth-degree Assault by Auto. Additionally, Ford was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and issued multiple motor vehicle summonses.
Ford was served with the charges at the hospital, where he remains being treated. Upon his release from the hospital, Ford will be processed on the charges and be scheduled for a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
