Lodi High School Teacher Allegedly Drunk When He Crashed into Police Vehicle, Left the Scene
A high school teacher in Lodi NJ has been charged with drunk driving after he allegedly crashed his vehicle into a Bergen County police officer’s patrol car.
According to authorities, the suspect is a math teacher and track coach at Lodi High School in Lodi, NJ.
The 39-year-old Bergen County patrol officer had stopped his police cruiser on the shoulder of Route 46 westbound so that he could assist another officer with a broken radio. At that time, the suspect allegedly drifted onto the highway shoulder and slammed into the back of the victim’s patrol car.
According to police, the suspect immediately fled the scene after the accident. It is believed that the suspect was highly intoxicated when the accident occurred.
The Bergen County police officer suffered severe injuries as a result of the crash. He was listed in critical condition with a traumatic brain injury; he had to stay at the hospital for almost four months after the accident. Among the officer’s injuries were a fractured skull and broken ribs. Despite finally being released from the hospital, the victim still requires intensive physical therapy for his injuries.
Police eventually found the suspect and arrested him. He has been charged with several offenses, including aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated (DWI), and leaving the scene of an accident.
According to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) records, the suspect was previously convicted for driving under the influence on another occasion.
Shortly after a Morris County grand jury indicted the suspect in August, he was suspended without pay from his teaching job at Lodi High School.
The suspect later pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and was released from custody after posting $150,000 bail.
Bergen County prosecutors have offered the suspect a plea deal. The agreement would call for the suspect to serve 7 years in NJ State Prison.
To learn more about this case, access the NJ.com article entitled “Teacher Charged with Seriously Injuring Bergen County Cop Due in Court.”
