New Jersey

Caught on Cam: New Jersey Officer Narrowly Escapes Unscathed When Driver Sideswipes Door

Burlington Township police officer dodges injury when door sideswiped by passing motorist

What to Know

  • A Burlington Township police officer narrowly avoided serious injury when a passing car struck his patrol vehicle's door.
  • None of the other drivers suffered any injuries, police said.
  • The police department is using video of the sideswiping to raise awareness of New Jersey's "Move Over Law."

A police officer in New Jersey narrowly avoided serious injury when a passing car struck his patrol vehicle's door and the officer's department is using video of the incident to educate drivers.

Body-camera video posted to Facebook shows what happened Sunday night as the Burlington Township officer attempted to get out of his vehicle during a traffic stop. The camera captured the sound of the crash. The door was nearly ripped off its hinges. The officer was not harmed.

"Burlington Township Police ask that you take a brief minute of your day to watch this video and read this educational message," read the department's Facebook post.

Neither the driver initially pulled over or the striking driver suffered any injuries, police said.

Lt. James Sullivan tells the Courier Post of Cherry Hill the police cruiser was partially parked in the road because the shoulder was very narrow.

The motorist remained on the scene and was ticketed for violating New Jersey's "Move Over Law." The law requires motorists to slow down or move into another lane when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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