The following information has been provided by the Cherry Hill Police Department.
In the early morning hours of Feb. 9, a Cherry Hill police officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 70 by West Gate Drive. While outside his police cruiser during the investigation of the stopped motorist, a Toyota Solara operated by a 49-year-old male of Marlton struck the marked unit but failed to immediately stop. Officers attempted to stop the driver, who eventually pulled over in the area of Route 70 & Wexford, which was over two miles from the crash site. Through investigation at the scene, the driver was arrested for suspicion of driving while impaired and was also charged with eluding police.
The driver was charged with eluding and several motor vehicle violations. He was released on a summons with a pending court date.
This incident is a reminder of the dangers of driving while impaired as well as New Jersey’s Move Over Law, which sets procedure for a motorist approaching stationary authorized emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicles. Motorists must heed the warning and safely move over to another lane, or slow down below the posted speed limit, New Jersey has some of the busiest highways in the nation and this law is a critical step in protecting the workers that serve the public at roadside emergencies.