South Brunswick police car is hit by a distracted driver; Slow down, move over, it’s the law

February 24, 2023

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX). A police car was completely destroyed late Thursday after a motorist crashed into it from behind on Route 1. At 11:30 p.m., 17-year-old veteran Patrolman First Class Sean Roberts stopped the truck on Route 1 south of Raymond Road. Private Roberts got out of his patrol car and walked to the passenger side of the truck. While talking to the truck driver, he heard tires squealing and a loud crash. He went to the back of the truck and saw that the vehicle had hit his patrol car and swerved along the driver’s side of the truck. A 2015 Volkswagen car ended up in the lane facing the other way with deployed airbags. Private Roberts assisted the driver and notified dispatchers.

The investigation found that the Volkswagen driver, 47-year-old George Eckert of New Brunswick, was unable to stay in his lane and crashed into the back of a 2018 Ford Explorer police vehicle that was on the side of the highway. There were no casualties in the accident. Eckert was issued a summons for reckless driving.

Chief Raymond Hajduka said: “First Officer Roberts followed his training and approached from the passenger side at his car stop, which prevented the situation from getting worse. We were lucky last night, the patrol car was destroyed, but no one was hurt. Drivers must be careful and move.

TRAFFIC LAW. Drivers approaching parked ambulances, tow trucks, garbage trucks, and other safety vehicles on roads with red, blue, and/or yellow flashing lights must now move in one lane or, if not safe, then slow down below the lane. posted speed limit



Last night, a South Brunswick police car was hit by a distracted driver. Slow down, move over, it’s the law


New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2

The course of action of a motorist approaching a particular stationary vehicle.

1. a. The driver of a vehicle approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, as defined in RS39:1-1, that displays a flashing, flashing or alternating red or blue light, or any configuration of lights containing one of these colors, must approach an authorized emergency vehicle. vehicle with due care and, unless otherwise instructed by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:

(1) Change lanes to a lane other than the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible under existing safety and traffic conditions; or

(2) If a lane change is in accordance with paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section, it would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, to reduce the speed of the vehicle to a reasonable and appropriate speed for existing roads and traffic conditions, which must be less than the established speed limit, and be ready to stop.

b. Driver of a vehicle approaching a stationary tow truck, as defined in PL1999 Section 1, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6), that flashes amber, a stationary road maintenance or emergency vehicle operated by a state, government agency , county or municipality and flashing amber, amber or red lights, or a stationary ambulance vehicle with flashing amber warning lights in accordance with PL2011 Section 1, c.3 (C.39:3-54.27) must approach the vehicle with due care and unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:

(1) Move to a lane not adjacent to a tractor, road maintenance or emergency vehicle, or ambulance, if possible under existing safety and traffic conditions; or

(2) If the lane change is in accordance with paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section, it would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, to reduce the speed of the vehicle to a reasonable and appropriate speed for existing roads and traffic conditions, which must be less than the established speed limit, and be ready to stop.

V. Violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.

L. 2017, p.43, p.1.



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