A four-car, chain-reaction crash occurred on Saturday night along Route 17 South near East Allendale Road when a Range Rover lost control and rear-ended two police vehicles and a third car that was stopped on the shoulder, according to authorities.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of Joseph Ford, 18, of New York City, who was charged with driving while intoxicated in connection with the crash.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., Saddle River Police Officer John Latka was conducting a motor vehicle stop on the shoulder of Route 17 South in a marked patrol car, with assistance from Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn Jr. Both officers had their emergency lights activated.
According to investigators, the Range Rover, traveling southbound, veered into the shoulder and struck Dunn’s patrol car, sparking a chain reaction that involved the stopped vehicle and Latka’s patrol car.
After the crash, Ford fled the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended by responding officers from nearby departments.
Officer Dunn sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Officer Latka and a third individual in the SUV were also injured and transported to local hospitals, but their injuries were deemed non-life-threatening.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit responded to the scene. Authorities determined that Ford was driving at a high rate of speed and under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. In addition to driving while intoxicated, Ford faces multiple charges, including assault by auto and other motor vehicle offenses. He is currently hospitalized and in custody, awaiting his first court appearance in Hackensack’s Superior Court.
Prosecutor Musella acknowledged the swift response of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and police departments from Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Mahwah, Ramsey, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Waldwick, Wyckoff, Paramus, and Woodcliff Lake.
As of press time, Officer John Latka has been discharged from the hospital, while Officer Mark Dunn remains in critical condition, according to the NJ State PBA.
UPDATE -1 officer remains hospitalized.
NJ State PBA President Andreyev said, “Officers risk their lives everyday. Last night a drunk driver made the roads even more dangerous. The driver struck the officer then the patrol car. Pray for Officer Mark Dunn full recovery.” pic.twitter.com/N0lrcHubFa
— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) October 6, 2024