A local police officer is recovering after investigators say he was struck by a drunk driver in Monroe Township, New Jersey.
Monroe Township Police Patrolman Anthony Vezza was standing near a Ford Fusion he had stopped on the westbound shoulder of the Black Horse Pike near Corkery Lane Saturday night.
As he was standing there, police say Vezza was suddenly struck by a Hyundai Santa Fe that was passing by. Vezza suffered a broken leg and a knee injury. He was airlifted to the Cooper Medical Center in Camden where he underwent surgery. He is currently in stable condition.
Two passengers inside the Ford Fusion were also injured after the collision caused the officer’s patrol car to push into their vehicle.
The driver of the Hyundai, identified as 33-year-old Jesse Petryk, was also hurt in the crash. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and three counts of assault by auto.
